Former IPS officer deputed as OSD on Ayodhya dispute Acharya Kishore Kunal dies of heart attack in Patna

Former IPS officer Acharya Kishore Kunal, founder of Mahavir Mandir Trust, dies in Patna; remembered for social, religious contributions.

Acharya Kishore Kunal, former IPS officer and founder secretary of Mahavir Mandir Trust died of cardiac arrest on Sunday (December 29, 2024) morning in Patna.

The 1972 batch IPS officer of Gujarat cadre had also served as Patna Senior Superintendent of Police for two years (1983-84). Mr. Kunal was also appointed officer of special duty on the Ayodhya dispute during the time of former Prime Minister V.P. Singh and Chandra Shekhar.

He has also penned several books and the most famous one is Ayodhya Revisited which was also part of the final hearing of high-profile Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid Land Dispute Case.

Mr. Kunal has penned several other books on Dalits, one of the famous books was Dalit Devo Bhava and that was the reason that he appointed two dozen dalit priests in the important temples including the famous Mahavir Mandir of Patna.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed deep condolences on the death of Mr. Kunal. In his condolence message, the Mr. Kumar said that he was an efficient administrator and sensitive officer. who was also associated with various social and religious organizations.

“Late Acharya Kishore Kunal ji carried out various social and religious works while holding the post of Secretary of Mahavir Mandir Trust. He successfully performed his works while holding the post of Chairman of Bihar State Religious Trust Board (BSRTB). His demise has caused irreparable loss in the administrative, social and religious field,”Mr. Kumar said in an official press statement released by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) on Sunday.

During his tenure hundred temples were built on the old sites. Some of the important temples include Garib Nath Mandir at Muzaffarpur, Chaturmukh Mahadev Mandir at Vaishali, Jagannath Mandir at Bodh Gaya, Hanuman Mandir in Patna City and Ram Chaura Mandir at Hajipur. Thousands of temples were renovated and the sale of temple plots was banned.