KKN Gurugram Desk | once a prominent face in 90s Bollywood cinema, has again found herself at the center of public discourse—not for a film but for her controversial elevation to the title of Mahamandaleshwar of the Kinnar Akhara during the Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj. In her latest statement, Kulkarni has described the honor as the fruit of her 25 years of spiritual penance, even as dissent brews within the Akhara and sections of society raise ethical and religious concerns.

Speaking to ANI after nearly three months of silence since the controversy erupted, Mamta said:

“It was in God’s hands that I was chosen as Mahamandaleshwar during a sacred moment that occurs once in 140 years. This is the result of my 25 years of tapasya. So, it happened.”

From Stardom to Saffron: The Journey of Mamta Kulkarni

Mamta Kulkarni became a household name in the 1990s through films like ‘Karan Arjun’, ‘Sabse Bada Khiladi’, and ‘China Gate’, often making headlines for her bold roles and fiery personality. Yet her stardom was paralleled by controversy, from topless photo shoots in magazine covers to public fallouts with directors and eventually, serious legal troubles.

Her name emerged in the infamous international drug syndicate case of 2016, allegedly linked to underworld figure Vicky Goswami, whom she was reportedly in a relationship with. Following this, she withdrew from public life, later resurfacing as a spiritual seeker claiming detachment from materialism and fame.

Her unexpected return to India and subsequent appointment as Mahamandaleshwar during the Kumbh 2025 triggered shockwaves across religious and social spheres, especially among traditional saints and transgender activists.

The Controversy: Internal Conflict in Kinnar Akhara

Her spiritual appointment sparked internal turmoil within the Kinnar Akhara, one of the newer yet symbolically significant sects representing the transgender community in Hindu religious orders.

Points of Contention:

• Mamta’s alleged criminal past and celebrity status made many question her fitness for a revered post.

• The appointment was made without consultation with Kinnar Akhara founder Acharya Rishi Ajay Das.

• Ajay Das accused Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi of bypassing protocol and acting unilaterally.

Ajay Das’s Allegations: “This Weakens the Akhara’s Foundation”

In an official press statement, Rishi Ajay Das declared:

“As the founder of the Kinnar Akhara, I hereby relieve Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi of all responsibilities. Her actions deviate from the mission of religious reform and transgender upliftment.”

Ajay Das also highlighted a 2019 MoU between Lakshmi Tripathi and Juna Akhara, claiming it was executed without his consent. He argues the agreement was legally and theologically invalid, stating:

“No contract holds value without the founder’s approval. This undermines the spiritual foundation we’ve built.”

Criticism from Within the Transgender Community

The backlash wasn’t limited to traditional saints. Prominent transgender spiritual leader Himangi Sakhi Maa questioned the motives behind Kulkarni’s appointment:

“She was made Mahamandaleshwar for publicity. Her background—especially in the drug case—needs to be re-examined.”

Other voices within the LGBTQIA+ community echoed concerns that such actions risk diluting the credibility of a religious institution built on identity, inclusion, and spiritual growth.

Mamta Resigns, Lakshmi Narayan Rejects Resignation

Amid the intensifying dispute, Mamta Kulkarni posted a video on her official Instagram account, announcing her resignation from the position of Mahamandaleshwar. In the video, she appeared calm but resolute, citing spiritual clarity and institutional instability as reasons for stepping down.

However, her resignation was rejected by Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi, who continues to support Mamta’s spiritual transformation. Tripathi argued that:

“Mamta has chosen a higher path. She has faced her karma and is living a transformed life.”

Split in the Akhara: Power Struggle in a Spiritual Domain

The unfolding situation has polarized the Kinnar Akhara, with members now split between the founding ideology of Ajay Das and the modern reformist approach of Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi. This rift could have long-term consequences for the structure, recognition, and cohesion of the Akhara.

The Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP), India’s apex body of Hindu religious orders, has not officially invalidated Mamta’s appointment, and ABAP President Mahant Ravindra Puri defended Lakshmi and Mamta, stating:

“Ajay Das has no authority to dismiss Lakshmi. Both she and Mamta will continue their duties during the Amrit Snan.”

Historical Context: Role of Kinnar Akhara in Indian Spiritual Tradition

Founded in 2015, the Kinnar Akhara is a historic attempt to integrate transgender individuals into mainstream Hindu religious life. With figures like Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi leading its formation, the Akhara was recognized during the Ujjain Kumbh in 2016, making headlines as a first in religious inclusion.

Their goals include:

• Spiritual legitimacy for transgender followers

• Religious education and service

• Social upliftment through spiritual leadership

Mamta’s appointment was initially seen as a step toward wider inclusivity—but her past has now complicated that narrative.

Public Opinion: Between Redemption and Reputation

Mamta Kulkarni’s supporters argue her spiritual journey is genuine, citing her complete withdrawal from Bollywood, years of silence, and detachment from material life as evidence of inner transformation.

Her detractors, however, view the situation as opportunistic spiritual branding, emphasizing that sainthood requires not just personal transformation, but public accountability and ethical consistency.

An editorial in a leading Hindi daily questioned:

“When religion becomes a stage for former celebrities, what happens to the ethos of renunciation?”

Past Legal Trouble: Drug Case Still Unresolved?

One of the biggest criticisms remains Mamta’s alleged involvement in a 2016 drug trafficking case, which linked her to an international narcotics syndicate. Though she denied all charges and was never convicted, the shadow of the case looms large.

Legal experts argue that while a person cannot be barred from spiritual life based on unproven allegations, religious titles come with moral obligations.

What Mamta Said: A Voice of Faith Amid Fire

In her ANI interview, Mamta reiterated:

“This is not about my past. This is about my inner calling. I have walked away from everything. What happened at the Kumbh is not politics, it’s divine grace.”

She added that spiritual identity transcends social labels, and she only seeks peace, devotion, and discipline—nothing more.

The Mamta Kulkarni episode highlights the complex interplay of faith, reform, gender, and reputation in India’s evolving religious discourse. While her elevation marks a moment of inclusion and transformation for many, the controversy underscores unresolved tensions within spiritual institutions navigating modernity and tradition.

As the Kinnar Akhara grapples with internal divisions, the larger spiritual community must now reflect on questions of redemption, authority, and authenticity.