Laxmi Narayan defends Mamta Kulkarni's Mahamandaleshwar appointment

Laxmi Narayan Tripathi has defended Mamta Kulkarni after her appointment as Mahamandaleshwar of Kinnar Akhada drew criticism. Both women were expelled from the Kinnar Akhada last month. Mamta Kulkarni, a former actress, was appointed to this position on January 24. After the announcement, many people began to voice their disapproval. Laxmi Narayan, who previously held a senior position in the Kinnar Akhada, spoke out in support of Mamta during a podcast. Laxmi explained that Mamta had been away from mainstream society for over two decades. She mentioned that Mamta was connected with the traditions of their community and had shown sincere interest in dedicating her life to Sanatan Dharma, which is a broad term for traditional Hindu beliefs. Furthermore, Laxmi addressed Mamta's past, which included a connection to gangster Abu Salem in the 1990s. She emphasized that Mamta's legal issues are now resolved and questioned why people are rejecting someone who wants to embrace Sanatan Dharma. Laxmi also suggested that if Mamta had chosen to convert to another religion, like Islam, the response from critics might have been different. She mentioned that Mamta resigned under pressure and noted that the founder of Kinnar Akhada criticized their appointments, claiming it undermined the organization’s goals. The situation remains dynamic, and it’s clear that both women continue to face challenges from within the Kinnar Akhada and out in the public eye.