Mamta Kulkarni hits back at Baba Ramdev and Dhirendra Shastri with sharp remarks: 'I suggest he ask his guru about who I am and stay silent'
etimes.in | Feb 3, 2025, 08.51 AM IST
Mamta Kulkarni, the former Bollywood actress who recently embraced a spiritual life and was conferred the title of Mahamandaleshwar at Maha Kumbh Mela, has stirred significant controversy with her remarks targeting Baba Ramdev and Dhirendra Krishna Shastri of Bageshwar Dham. During an appearance on a television show, Mamta made scathing comments, stating that Baba Ramdev should “fear Mahakal and Mahakali,” and addressing Dhirendra Shastri, she said, “I have meditated for as many years as his age.”
Her elevation to the title of Mahamandaleshwar has sparked backlash from several religious figures, with Baba Ramdev questioning the process. He criticized the title's bestowal, saying, “One does not attain sainthood in a day; it requires years of rigorous penance. Nowadays, I see people being randomly given the title of Mahamandaleshwar. This is not how it works.”
Dhirendra Krishna Shastri also voiced his opposition, questioning the legitimacy of the title being granted to Mamta. He asserted that such honors should be reserved for individuals who truly embody the spirit of a saint.
Responding to these criticisms during her appearance on Aap Ki Adalat, Mamta didn’t hold back. “What should I even say to Baba Ramdev? He should fear Mahakal and Mahakali,” she said. Regarding Dhirendra Shastri, she remarked, “Dhirendra Shastri is just a naive boy. I have meditated for as long as he has been alive—25 years. I suggest he ask his guru about who I am and stay silent.”
Previously, the former actress defended herself and the title bestowed upon her. She said in a statement to ANI, "...This was the order of Mahadev, Maha Kaali. This was the order of my Guru. They chose this day. I didn't do anything."
In the midst of this controversy, Rishi Ajay Das, the founder of Kinnar Akhada, expelled both Mamta Kulkarni and Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi from the Akhada. This decision follows the controversial appointment of Kulkarni as Mahamandaleshwar, with allegations that Tripathi appointed her without the founder's consent. The move garnered significant outrage within the spiritual community.
Mamta, who once enjoyed fame in Bollywood in the 1990s, had distanced herself from the film industry in the early 2000s. Her unexpected return to India and rapid rise to spiritual prominence has raised eyebrows, especially given her tumultuous past.
Her elevation to the title of Mahamandaleshwar has sparked backlash from several religious figures, with Baba Ramdev questioning the process. He criticized the title's bestowal, saying, “One does not attain sainthood in a day; it requires years of rigorous penance. Nowadays, I see people being randomly given the title of Mahamandaleshwar. This is not how it works.”
Dhirendra Krishna Shastri also voiced his opposition, questioning the legitimacy of the title being granted to Mamta. He asserted that such honors should be reserved for individuals who truly embody the spirit of a saint.
From sparking controversy with her photoshoots to a drug case, remember actress Mamta Kulkarni, who has now become a yogini?
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Responding to these criticisms during her appearance on Aap Ki Adalat, Mamta didn’t hold back. “What should I even say to Baba Ramdev? He should fear Mahakal and Mahakali,” she said. Regarding Dhirendra Shastri, she remarked, “Dhirendra Shastri is just a naive boy. I have meditated for as long as he has been alive—25 years. I suggest he ask his guru about who I am and stay silent.”
Previously, the former actress defended herself and the title bestowed upon her. She said in a statement to ANI, "...This was the order of Mahadev, Maha Kaali. This was the order of my Guru. They chose this day. I didn't do anything."
In the midst of this controversy, Rishi Ajay Das, the founder of Kinnar Akhada, expelled both Mamta Kulkarni and Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi from the Akhada. This decision follows the controversial appointment of Kulkarni as Mahamandaleshwar, with allegations that Tripathi appointed her without the founder's consent. The move garnered significant outrage within the spiritual community.
Mamta, who once enjoyed fame in Bollywood in the 1990s, had distanced herself from the film industry in the early 2000s. Her unexpected return to India and rapid rise to spiritual prominence has raised eyebrows, especially given her tumultuous past.