Patna: Acharya Kishore Kunal, a retired IPS officer, passed away on Sunday morning in Patna at the age of 74. He suffered a cardiac arrest and was rushed to Mahavir Vatsala Hospital, where he was declared dead.
The last rites of Acharya Kishore Kunal will be performed on Monday at 2 pm at Kaunhara Ghat in Hajipur. His final journey will begin from his residence at 11 am, passing through Mahavir Mandir in Patna.
A life dedicated to service
Born on August 10, 1950, in Muzaffarpur, Acharya Kishore Kunal completed his graduation in History and Sanskrit from Patna University before joining the Indian Police Service in 1972. Over the years, he served in various capacities, including as Senior Superintendent of Police in Patna and as an officer in the Gujarat cadre.
In a landmark moment during his police career, he was appointed as Special Duty Officer (Ayodhya) by Prime Minister VP Singh to mediate the Ayodhya dispute between the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Babri Masjid Action Committee. However, his faith in Lord Mahavir led him to take voluntary retirement and dedicate his life to social work.
Contributions to society
Acharya Kishore Kunal served as the president of Bihar State Board of Religious Trusts (BSBRT) and the secretary of Mahavir Mandir Trust. Under his leadership, Mahavir Mandir expanded its social initiatives, including hospitals, educational institutions, and charitable kitchens.
One of his most ambitious projects was the construction of the world’s largest Virat Ramayana Temple in East Champaran, Bihar. The foundation stone for this grand project was laid on June 20, 2023. Additionally, he initiated Mahavir Bal Cancer Hospital, India’s first cancer hospital for children, whose foundation stone was laid in December 2023.
Acharya Kunal also played a pivotal role in running the “Ram Rasoi” and “Sita Rasoi” programs, providing free meals to thousands of devotees daily in Ayodhya and Sitamarhi.
Tributes pour in
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed deep sorrow over his demise, calling it an irreparable loss to the administrative and social sectors. “He was an efficient administrator and a sensitive officer. His contribution to society is beyond words,” Kumar said.
पूर्व आई॰पी॰एस॰ अधिकारी, बिहार राज्य धार्मिक न्यास पर्षद के पूर्व अध्यक्ष और महावीर मंदिर न्यास समिति के संस्थापक सचिव आचार्य किशोर कुणाल जी का निधन दुःखद। वे एक कुशल प्रशासक एवं संवेदनशील पदाधिकारी थे। उनके निधन से प्रशासनिक और सामाजिक क्षेत्र में अपूरणीय क्षति हुई है। दिवंगत…
— Nitish Kumar (@NitishKumar) December 29, 2024
Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary praised his life of service and described his death as a great loss to the state. “He gave Mahavir Mandir a national identity and worked tirelessly for the weaker sections of society,” Choudhary said.
पटना महावीर मंदिर ट्रस्ट के अध्यक्ष, पूर्व IPS अधिकारी आचार्य किशोर कुणाल जी का हृदयाघात से निधन की खबर अत्यंत ही दुःखद है। किशोर कुणाल जी की धार्मिक और सामाजिक क्षेत्र में महती भूमिका रही है।
उनकी विदाई से बिहार को गहरा आघात लगा है। ईश्वर दिवंगत आत्मा को शांति प्रदान करें।
— Samrat Choudhary (@samrat4bjp) December 29, 2024
Bihar BJP President Dilip Jaiswal also paid tribute, saying that Acharya Kunal’s demise had left the Sanatani community in mourning.
