Actress Ranjitha dons saffron, becomes Nithyananda's sanyasini 'Ma Anandmayi'

December 28, 2013

Bangalore, Dec 28: Tamil film actress Ranjitha, whose name was closely linked to the alleged sex scandal involving Bidadi Dhyanapeet Ashram's Swami Nithyananda, was conferred 'Sanyasa Deekshe' by the controversial godman on his 37th birthday on Friday.

The actress was among 70 devotees, including a few foreign nationals, who received the deekshe. Ranjitha was clad in a saffron dress and chanted mantras (prayers) before being administered the sacred vow, sources in the ashram said. She has now assumed the name Maa Anandamayi.

Over a hundred devotees from Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu attended the event. Religious rituals started at 6 am and went on till 9 pm. A few hoardings of Nithyananda were installed on the premises and Kannada and Tamil film songs were sung during a procession preceding the deeksha ceremony.

Entry for visitors was restricted and four policemen were guarding the premises. The ashram residents themselves had made the security arrangements and closed the main door. Tension prevailed for a while when a handful of cameramen climbed the compound of the ashram and started shooting the proceedings. The ashramites allegedly threw stones at them and berated them for the intrusion.

A few Kannada organisations held protests outside the ashram and demanded that Nithyananda be exiled from the State. They tore down banners and hoardings and set tyres on fire, shouting anti-Nithyananda slogans and performed a mock funeral procession.

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Siddaramaiah's camp on alert as Karnataka Congress leadership rift escalates

News Network

November 27,2025

Bengaluru, Nov 27: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s camp is reportedly on alert as the Congress leadership tussle in the state intensifies, particularly amid speculation over the potential promotion of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Siddaramaiah is said to be in a “wait-and-watch” mode after admitting to “confusion” earlier this week and urging the party to “put a full stop” to it.

Sources say his supporters are ready to act if senior leaders — including party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi — give any indication of backing Shivakumar. If the party insists on a leadership change, Siddaramaiah’s camp has a list of alternatives, underscoring the deep rift between the two leaders. One possible candidate is Home Minister G. Parameshwara, a Siddaramaiah loyalist and influential Dalit leader.

The strategy was reportedly finalized at a meeting led by PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi, another Siddaramaiah supporter, who stressed that Delhi leaders need to resolve the issue. Kharge and the Gandhis are expected to meet soon, after which Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar may be summoned to Delhi.

Shivakumar has largely stayed non-confrontational, publicly endorsing Siddaramaiah and downplaying speculation about his own ambitions. However, he has made pointed comments emphasizing the importance of honoring promises, directed at Siddaramaiah.

The feud traces back to the 2023 state election, when Siddaramaiah was chosen as Chief Minister while Shivakumar, who led the party’s campaign, was made Deputy CM and state party chief — a departure from the Congress’ usual “one post per person” rule.

There were also hints of a prior understanding that Siddaramaiah would step down midway through the term. As the halfway mark passed last week, Shivakumar-aligned lawmakers have ramped up pressure on the party for a leadership change, with Shivakumar himself hinting at stepping down as state party chief to pursue the top job.

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