Adani and Ambani at Mahakumbh: Charity or Cover-Up?

• The Hidden Agenda Behind Adani and Ambani’s Charity at Maha Kumbh Mela

• Sacred Traditions, Corporate Agendas!

Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts News Exclusive

In an apparent effort to cleanse their tarnished reputations, Indian business magnates Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani have undertaken large-scale charitable initiatives during the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. While these actions are presented as selfless contributions, Sprouts News Investigation reveals a calculated attempt to manipulate public perception and divert attention from ongoing controversies.

• Adani’s Charity Amidst Corruption Allegations: A Strategic Distraction?

Gautam Adani’s business empire has been under intense global scrutiny due to serious allegations of fraud and bribery. In November 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice indicted Adani and his associates for securities fraud and conspiracy, accusing them of hiding a $265 million bribery scheme related to solar energy contracts in India. These allegations have led to financial setbacks and severely damaged the group’s international credibility.

To counteract this negative publicity, the Adani Group has launched several humanitarian initiatives at the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. Collaborating with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), the company has introduced the “Mahaprasad Seva” program, offering over 100,000 free meals daily to pilgrims. They have also funded the distribution of 10 million copies of Aarti Sangraha through Gita Press and provided transport services for the elderly and disabled.

While these efforts appear generous, Sprouts News Investigation questions whether they are merely a smokescreen to shift focus away from Adani’s legal and ethical troubles. The timing and scale of these efforts suggest a deliberate strategy to exploit religious sentiments for corporate reputation management.

Adani and Ambani at Mahakumbh

Additionally, Adani’s involvement in distributing religious texts raises ethical concerns. Sacred scriptures such as the Bhagavad Gita should be handled by those who uphold their teachings, not by a conglomerate accused of corruption and unethical practices. ISKCON’s partnership with Adani further raises questions- should a spiritual organization align itself with corporate entities whose intentions may not be entirely pure?

• Reliance’s Philanthropy: A Genuine Effort or a PR Tactic?

Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries has also faced public skepticism, particularly regarding allegations of governmental favoritism. To counteract this negative perception, the company has launched its own high-profile charity initiatives at the Maha Kumbh Mela.

Through the “Teerth Yatri Seva” program, Reliance Industries provides free meals, medical aid, transportation assistance, and enhanced connectivity for pilgrims. Anant Ambani, Director of Reliance Industries, claims these efforts aim to ensure a “safer, smoother, and easier” journey for devotees.

On the surface, these initiatives appear to be a noble effort to support millions of attendees. However, Sprouts News Special Investigation Team questions the deeper motivations. The timing of these large-scale donations coincides with a period of heightened scrutiny and criticism of Reliance’s monopolistic practices and environmental concerns. Like Adani, Ambani seems to be leveraging religious sentiment to soften his public image and deflect criticism.

• Protecting Sacred Traditions from Corporate Exploitation

Public frustration with corporate giants like Adani and Ambani continues to grow due to allegations of unethical business practices and political favoritism. Both tycoons are widely perceived as close allies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, fueling concerns of crony capitalism. In response, their corporations have intensified charitable activities at high-visibility events like the Maha Kumbh Mela, attempting to sway public perception in their favor.

Sprouts News Special Investigation Team highlights that while these acts of charity provide real benefits to pilgrims, they may primarily serve as strategic public relations maneuvers. The extensive media coverage and marketing campaigns surrounding these initiatives suggest a calculated effort to reshape their tarnished images rather than a genuine desire to serve society.

It is crucial for religious institutions and spiritual organizations to maintain their independence from corporate interests. Adani should not be distributing sacred texts like the Bhagavad Gita, and ISKCON should reconsider aligning itself with business entities that prioritize image management over true service. The sanctity of religious and spiritual traditions must be preserved, free from corporate exploitation.

• Vigilance Against Corporate Image Laundering

While the charitable activities of the Adani Group and Reliance Industries at the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 provide tangible support to attendees, Sprouts News Special Investigation Team urges the public to critically examine the intentions behind such acts. True corporate responsibility must go beyond well-publicized donations- it requires ethical business practices, transparency, and accountability.

Devotees and citizens must remain vigilant against the misuse of sacred platforms for corporate image laundering. Religious gatherings should not be used as shields for billionaires attempting to cleanse their reputations. The sanctity of such events must be upheld, ensuring they remain places of faith, devotion, and genuine service—not tools for corporate self-interest.

• Sprouts Opposes Anant Ambani’s Appointment to Lalbaugcha Raja Mandal

Sprouts, an independent media organization, has strongly opposed the intervention and appointment of Anant Mukesh Ambani to the Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal. Anant Ambani, son of business tycoon Mukesh Ambani, has been criticized by Sprouts for his association with alleged corruption and fraudulent business practices. The organization has raised concerns over the influence of powerful and controversial figures in the Mandal’s decision-making process.

Also Read: Delhi High Court Quashes Time-Barred Reassessment Notice Against Maruti Suzuki.

• Gold Crown and Prasad Offerings by Anant Ambani

Anant Ambani recently made headlines for donating a 20 kg gold crown to the revered Lalbaugcha Raja. In addition to this lavish offering, he also distributed laddus as Prasad to devotees. While some see these donations as acts of devotion, critics, including Sprouts, argue that such grand gestures are attempts to gain favor and influence within the religious and cultural institution.

• Sprouts News Team Opposes Corrupt Influences in the Mandal

Sprouts has taken a firm stance against the growing trend of appointing individuals with questionable backgrounds, such as Anant Ambani, to the committee of the Lalbaugcha Raja Mandal. The organization believes that allowing influential but controversial figures to hold positions in religious and cultural bodies undermines their integrity and purpose. This opposition aligns with Sprouts’ broader efforts to expose and challenge corruption in public and religious institutions.

• Legal Action Against Editor Unmesh Gujarathi

In response to Sprouts’ criticism, the Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal has filed a defamation lawsuit against Editor Unmesh Gujarathi in the Bombay High Court and the Mazagaon Court. The Mandal claims that the allegations made by Sprouts and its editor have tarnished its reputation. This legal battle highlights the ongoing conflict between media organizations and influential figures over issues of transparency, ethics, and freedom of speech.