Prayagraj: Kinnar Akhara Acharya Mahamandleshwar Swami Laxmi Narayan Tripathi has expelled former Bollywood actor Mamta Kulkarni, aka Shri Yamai Mamta Nandgiri, from the akhara after she got involved in the Swami Avimukteshwaranand controversy at Magh Mela. Two days back, Kulkarni had criticised the seer, saying “his actions led to his disciples getting beaten”. Tripathi said that the Kinnar Akhara seers and saints were also upset by the way the batuk (young Brahmin boys) were beaten and their sacred threads were pulled on the day of Mauni Amavasya, and that “this was an attack on Sanatan Dharm”.In a video released on Tuesday, Tripathi said, “After holding a meeting with akhara officials, it was decided that Shri Yamai Mamta Nandgiri will not have any connection with the Kinnar Akhara from Tuesday (Jan 27).”“We do not want any kind of controversy,” she added.She said that the Kinnar Akhara includes women, men, and transgender individuals. During the Maha Kumbh-2025 in Prayagraj, Kulkarni was made a Mahamandaleshwar of the Kinnar Akhara, triggering a massive uproar.A standoff between Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and Magh Mela authorities is ongoing, with him and his followers protesting outside his Triveni Marg camp for 10 days. Two days back, Kulkarni had questioned the seer, asking who appointed him Shankaracharya and why he needed a palanquin ride amidst millions.She slammed Swami Avimukteshwaranand, saying his actions led to his disciples getting beaten. She felt he could’ve walked to the bathing area instead of insisting on a palanquin ride. A guru should be responsible, not stubborn, she added.Following her statement, Tripathi decided to hold a meeting and expelled her. She said that previously, Kulkarni also made a statement regarding underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, which caused a major embarrassment to the Kinnar Akhara.Tripathi said, “We visited Magh Mela and took a holy dip in Sangam.” She said that she does not want to get into who was right or wrong, but the mela administration should have handled the issue with sensitivity.
