Patna: Thousands of people, including prominent leaders, saints, and dignitaries, gathered on Thursday to pay homage to Acharya Kishore Kunal, Secretary of Mahavir Mandir Nyas, on the 12th day after his demise. The tribute and peace feast program was held at the Bihar Vidyapeeth campus in Patna, where many offered floral tributes to his portrait. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, and Union Ministers Chirag Paswan and Giriraj Singh were among those who attended the solemn occasion.
Nitish Kumar expressed deep sorrow while consoling Acharya Kishore Kunal’s wife, Anita Kunal, and son, Sayan Kunal. He shared that the news of Kunal’s sudden demise was hard to believe, emphasizing their years-long bond and frequent communication. The Chief Minister assured the bereaved family of his support during this difficult time. Other leaders, including Bihar Assembly Speaker Nand Kishore Yadav, Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, and former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, also offered their condolences.
The gathering saw participation from several dignitaries across fields. Notable attendees included former Governor Ganga Prasad, former Ministers Shahnawaz Hussain and Veena Shahi, MPs Ravi Shankar Prasad and Devesh Chandra Thakur, and Justice Rajiv Ranjan and SN Jha. Senior officials such as Advocate General PK Shahi, former Advocate General Lalit Kishore, and former Chief Secretary Brajesh Mehrotra also marked their presence. Other notable figures included Dr. SN Sinha, Padma Shri Dr. Shanti Rai, and Vice Chancellors SP Shahi and Dr. Rajiv Ranjan Prasad.
Earlier in the day, the Dwadasha Karma rituals were performed at Sayan Nilayam, the family residence. Sayan Kunal, who lit his father’s funeral pyre, was blessed and honored by relatives and elders. Justice Rajendra Prasad, Pandit Bhavanath Jha, and Mahavir Mandir associates such as superintendent K Sudhakaran and editor Bhavanath Jha took part in the ceremony. Acharya Kishore Kunal’s daughter-in-law and MP Shambhavi, along with his brother-in-law and Minister Ashok Chaudhary, were also present.
The solemn occasion reflected the immense respect and admiration Acharya Kishore Kunal commanded across diverse spheres of life. His contributions to religious and social causes were fondly remembered by all who gathered to pay their respects.
