Bimalendra Mohan Pratap Mishra, of the Ayodhya royal family, popularly known as Raja Ayodhya, has passed away. He was around 75.
Raja Ayodhya died around 11 pm on Saturday at his Raj Sadan (palace) in Ayodhya Dham. He is survived by a son and a daughter.
He was the first senior member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirtha Kshetra Trust, formed as per the announcement made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament after the Supreme Court’s decision on the Babri Masjid dispute.
People close to him and the administrative staff arrived late at night to pay their last respects to him. His death sent a wave of mourning through Ayodhya.
His younger brother and patron of the management committee of Saket College, the largest college of Purvanchal, Shailendra Mohan Pratap Mishra Chunnu, told media persons that at 11:00 pm, Raja Ayodhya’s blood pressure suddenly dipped.
Family members gave him electrolytes and other medicines. The family doctor, Dr B D Tripathi, was also called from Shri Ram Hospital of Ayodhya Dham. But by then, he expired.
Raja Ayodhya had undergone an operation on his spine a few days ago and had returned three days ago after getting a checkup done in Lucknow. His wife had also passed away a few days back.
The cremation is expected to be held on the banks of the Saryu River this afternoon.
Bimalendra Mohan Pratap Mishra, known and recognised as Raja Saheb in the entire Ayodhya, had suffered a leg injury a few months ago. He also underwent an operation for it. After this, his physical activity had reduced somewhat.
The senior member of the Ram Mandir Trust has also contested elections from the Ayodhya Lok Sabha constituency from the Bahujan Samaj Party.
His son, Yatindra Mohan Pratap Mishra, is a renowned music scholar and poet. He wrote a famous book named ‘Lata Sur Gatha’ on the famous singer Lata Mangeshkar. He has also received a national award for the same.
When the final verdict of the Supreme Court on the Ram temple was pronounced, Bimalendra was the first senior member chosen by Prime Minister Modi. The first charge was handed over to him by the Commissioner of Ayodhya, who was the receiver of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi complex till then. Raja Ayodhya was also the President of Shri Pratap Dharma Setu Trust.