Bimalendra Mishra, Ayodhya ‘royal family’ scion and Ram Temple trustee, passes away at 71
Bimalendra Mohan Pratap Mishra contested the 2009 Lok Sabha elections unsuccessfully from Faizabad on a BSP ticket.
Mishra also had a brief political career. (Express Photo) 
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Bimalendra Mohan Pratap Mishra, a key member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust and a scion of Ayodhya’s erstwhile royal family, died of cardiac arrest at his house in Ayodhya late Saturday night. He was 71.
Members of Mishra’s family said he had been unwell and passed away at his residence, Rajsadan, in Ayodhya, around 11 pm. The news of his death was shared early Sunday morning, leading to a large crowd gathering at the residence. His last rites were scheduled to be performed Sunday evening along the banks of the Saryu river.
Popularly known as ‘Raja Ayodhya’ and ‘Pappu Bhaiya’ among people of Ayodhya, Mishra, a soft-spoken and man of few words, despite his family’s close association with Ram Janma Bhoomi, remained neutral and equally regarded by both sides of the Ram Janma Bhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute. A key functionary of Ram Janma Bhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, he played a significant role in planning and construction of the Ram Temple.
In 2020, after the Supreme Court verdict on the Ram Janma Bhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute, the charge of the site was handed over to him by M P Agarwal, then division commissioner of Faizabad MP, who was acting as ex officio “receiver” of the makeshift temple and the site for almost three decades.
Mishra’s brief stint with electoral politics came in 2009, when Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati convinced him to contest the Lok Sabha election as BSP candidate from Faizabad after the sitting MP had shifted allegiance and contested as an SP candidate.
Though Mishra contested, he finished fourth in the polls won by Congress candidate Nirmal Khatri. Since then, he stayed away from active politics but continued to be regarded across party lines.
“The demise of the esteemed member of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, the head of Rajsadan Ayodha, Shri Bimlendra Mohan Pratap Mishra is extremely sad. My condolences are with the bereaved family. I pray to lord Shri Ram to give a place to the departed soul in his feet and give strength to the bereaved family to bear this immense sorrow,” said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
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Ayodhya Mayor Girish Pati Tripathi said, “The public of our city is a little stunned today because one of the few people who provided a shade of protection, a feeling of fatherhood in this city, such a person, like a father, guardian, King of Ayodhya and respected member of Ram Janmabhoomi Tirtha Kshetra Trust, Shri Bimalendra Mohan Pratap Mishra ji passed away.” Tripathi also shared his childhood memories associated with the Ayodhya Rajsadan cricket club.
Mishra, who served as a trustee for higher and secondary education institutions in Ayodhya, was a patron of the Ayodhya Ramayana Mela committee.
He is survived by his son Yatindra Mishra, who is a writer, and his daughter Manjari Mishra.
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