Acharya Kishore Kunal, Key Figure in Ram Mandir Movement, Passes Away

Acharya Kishore Kunal, a renowned retired IPS officer and social worker, who played a pivotal role in the Ram mandir movement, has passed away at the age of 74 due to cardiac arrest. Kunal, who was the chief of the Bihar State Board of Religious Trust (BSBRT) and secretary of the Mahavir Mandir Trust, was remembered for his dedication to social service, religious, and cultural upliftment.

Kunal's association with the Ayodhya dispute began in 1990 when he was appointed as the officer on special duty (Ayodhya) to the then Minister of State for Home Affairs Subodh Kant Sahay. He continued to be involved in negotiations between the two communities during the tenure of Prime Ministers V P Singh and Chandra Shekhar. In his book, Kunal mentioned that the Chandra Shekhar government was close to finding a solution to the dispute, but the government fell before the process could be completed.

Acharya Kunal was also a founding member of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir Trust and was instrumental in providing crucial evidence, including a map that depicted the exact location of Lord Ram's birthplace, during the Babri Masjid-Ram Mandir case in the Supreme Court. The map was torn up by the Muslim side's lawyer, Rajeev Dhavan, during the court proceedings. Despite the setback, Kunal remained a strong advocate for an amicable solution to the dispute and favoured mediation between the two sides.

Prior to his involvement in the Ram mandir movement, Kunal was also a key figure in a high-profile case in Bihar, where he investigated the mysterious death of Shwetnisha Trivedi, a typist linked to top politicians in 1983. However, he faced political pressure and was later criticized, leading to the case being taken over by the CBI, which declared the death a suicide. Kunal later pursued spiritual work, taking over the Ayodhya Ram Mandir in 1996 and establishing a trust for hospitals and schools.

Kunal will be remembered for his tireless efforts in promoting social service, religious, and cultural upliftment. His passing has been condoled by Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, who described Kunal's life as dedicated to the weaker sections of society. Acharya Kishore Kunal's legacy will be an inspiration to many, and his contributions to the Ram mandir movement and social service will be remembered for years to come.