Acharya Giriraj Kishore : A voice for social justice

Ashadh Krushnapaksha 4, Kaliyug Varsha 5116

Vishwa Hindu Parishad patriarch Acharya Giriraj Kishore has passed away on Sunday night after prolonged illness. Acharya Kishore, who was wheelchair-bound for some years, has been suffering from prostrate cancer.

94-year-old Giriraj was the seniormost pracharak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and was also the seniormost leader of the VHP. Acharya Giriraj was a strong proponent of Hindutva. For him, it was the source of India’s rich civilisation and its sacred culture.

Giriraj, who had worked as a school teacher in Morena, Madhya Pradesh was highly qualified. He had done his masters in Hindi literature, History and Political Science.

Born on February 4, 1920 in Etah, Uttar Pradesh, Giriraj had joined the RSS at an early age. The Sangh made him a pracharak and later drafted him into VHP in 1983 during the first Bharat Mata Yatra. After having worked as the joint general secretary, general secretary and senior vice president of the VHP, Acharya Giriraj was serving on the advisory board of the organisation. For a long time, he served as the key mentor of Bajrang Dal, the youth wing of VHP. Giriraj mentored a whole generation of RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal leaders.

Acharya Giriraj Kishore was one of the leading figures of the Ram Janmabhoomi Andolan. At the pick of movement, Acharya Giriraj had declared “No power on the earth can stop the construction of a Ram Temple in Ayodhya.” Apart from Ram Janmabhoomi Andolan, Acharya Giriraj Kishore fought against fraudulent conversions by Christian missionaries. He spearheaded Goraksha Andolan (anti-cow slaughter movement).

A lifelong bachelor, Acharya Giriraj Kishore preached the essence of cultural nationalism. Apart from his fight for Hindu right, Giriraj was relentless in his struggle for the cause of social welfare. He was instrumental in establishing various educational institutes for the teachings of destitute children.

Acharya Giriraj had donated his eyes to Army R&R Hospital in Delhi and his body to a medical college.

A life devoted to the cause of motherland and mankind has ended. He will always be remembered for his selfless social service.

Source : Niti Central