Trailblazer Acharya Kishore Kunal, Ayodhya Mediator and Dalit Priests Advocate, Passes at 74 – A Legacy of Courage and Change
Acharya Kishore Kunal, a distinguished mediator in the Ayodhya dispute and a former IPS officer renowned for confronting dacoits, passed away from a heart attack in Patna on Sunday, aged 74. Kunal is remembered not only for his significant mediation role in the Ayodhya dispute between 1989 and 1991 but also for his groundbreaking efforts in appointing Dalit priests in Bihar’s temples. A 1972-batch Gujarat cadre IPS officer, he served across Bihar, Jharkhand, and Gujarat before opting for voluntary retirement in 2001.
During his tenure as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Ayodhya, appointed by the Ministry of Home Affairs under Prime Minister V P Singh, and continuing under PMs Chandra Shekhar and P V Narasimha Rao, Kunal played a pivotal role in dialogues between the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Babri Masjid Action Committee.
Post-retirement, Kunal was named vice chancellor of the KS Sanskrit University in Darbhanga. As the head of Patna’s Hanuman Mandir Trust, he appointed the first Dalit priest in any temple in Bihar in 1993 and later continued this advocacy as president of the Bihar State Board of Religious Trust. Additionally, Kunal’s philanthropic efforts include establishing three hospitals in Patna, including the Mahavir Cancer Hospital, which provides subsidized healthcare services.
A respected Sanskrit and Hindi scholar, Kunal authored “Ayodhya Revisited,” a book praised by former Chief Justices of India for its insightful analysis of the historic Ayodhya dispute, enhancing understanding and potentially easing communal tensions.
Kunal’s legacy is marked by his dedication to social justice, interfaith dialogue, and community healthcare, leaving a lasting impact on both Bihar and the nation’s socio-religious landscape.
Original Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/acharya-kishore-kunal-ips-ayodhya-dies-9749693/
Category : Political Pulse
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Publish Date: 2024-12-29 11:27:00
