Sat Jan 25 22:15:46 IST 2025: ## Bollywood Actress’s Appointment as Spiritual Guru Sparks Controversy

**Prayagraj, India** – The appointment of former Bollywood actress Mamta Kulkarni as a Mahamandleshwar (spiritual guru) within the Kinnar Akhada, a monastic order of transgender sadhus, has ignited a firestorm of controversy. Just a day after the announcement, Kathavachak Jagatguru Himangi Sakhi, another leader within the Akhada, publicly questioned the decision’s credibility.

Sakhi raised concerns about Kulkarni’s past, citing her Bollywood career and past involvement in drug-related legal issues. She questioned the Akhada’s decision to bestow such a high spiritual title on an individual with a controversial history, stating that it raises ethical questions and demands investigation. Sakhi’s statement to ANI highlighted the public’s familiarity with Kulkarni’s past and the potential damage this appointment could inflict on the image of Sanatan Dharma.

Kulkarni, who was appointed at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj and given the name Yamai Mamta Nandgiri, attributed her appointment to divine intervention and the guidance of her guru. Acharya Mahamandleshwar Laxmi Narayan, who made the announcement, stated that Kulkarni had been involved in a spiritual journey with the Kinnar Akhada for over a year. He also clarified that the Akhada does not restrict its members’ artistic expression.

Kulkarni’s Bollywood career spanned several hit films, including collaborations with prominent actors like Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Aamir Khan. She left the industry in the early 2000s before embarking on her spiritual path. The controversy surrounding her appointment continues to fuel debate about the selection process and standards for spiritual leadership within the Kinnar Akhada.

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