PRAYAGRAJ, Jan. 28 -- A former Bollywood actor-turned seer Mamta Kulkarni, Mahamandaleshwar (high priest) of Kinnar Akhada, has been expelled from the transgender seers' monastic order and removed from her post following controversial remarks against Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati. The decision was announced by Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, head of the Kinnar Akhada, through a video message on Tuesday. Mamta Kulkarni had been embroiled in controversy since her anointment to the post during the Maha Kumbh 2025. Her recent statement regarding the Shankaracharya sparked widespread criticism, prompting the Akhada leadership to take disciplinary action. The current controversy stems from Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati's ongoing protest after he was stopped from proceeding for the holy dip on a palanquin on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya during the ongoing Magh Mela-2026. Several leaders and religious figures have issued statements both in support of and against him. Amid this, Mamta Kulkarni made a controversial comment targeting the Shankaracharya. In a video statement, Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Laxmi Narayan Tripathi clarified that she does not wish to be drawn into the dispute. She stated that she is initiated in Shri Vidya by Swami Vasudevanand Saraswati and that her sanyas tradition is guided by Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad General Secretary Mahant Hari Giri. HTC...