U.P. official quits job to extend support to Yogi Adityanath in Shankaracharya row

‘Deeply hurt’ over remarks made by Swami Avimukteshwaranand against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Prashant Kumar Singh, posted as Deputy GST Commissioner in Ayodhya, sent his resignation to the Governor.

In his resignation letter, the official said he was resigning in ‘support of the government’ and to oppose ‘Avimukteswharanand Shankaracharya’. He said he could not tolerate the insult done to the Chief Minister, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah by Swami Avimukteshwaranand. Mr. Singh alleged that Swami Avimukteshwaranand was trying to divide the society on the basis of caste and that he was ‘luring innocent officials in Uttar Pradesh’ to stand against the government.

His resignation came a day after Alankar Agnihotri, posted as city magistrate in Bareilly, was suspended by the Uttar Pradesh government after he resigned from his post against government policies such as “mistreatment” of Swami Avimukteshwaranand and new UGC rules.

Soon after sending his resignation, Mr. Singh shot a video of his telephonic conversation with his family members inside his office in which tears rolled down his eyes while sharing the news of him stepping down from the post.

“Muje Bardasht Nahi hua….., (I couldnt tolerate this),” he said over phone.

Uma Bharti’s stand

Meanwhile, senior BJP leader and former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Uma Bharti came out in support of Swami Avimukteshwaranand stating that government officials could not demand ‘identity proof’ from seers.

“I believe that a positive resolution will emerge between Swami Avimukteshwaranand Ji Maharaj and the Uttar Pradesh government, but the administrative authorities demanding proof of his status as Shankaracharya is a violation by the administration of its own limits and authority; this right belongs solely to the Shankaracharyas and the council of scholars,” Ms. Bharti wrote on X.

She added that her statement doesn’t mean any disrespect towards the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister but only aims to tell the authorities that demanding proof of someone’s status as Shankaracharya is a violation of propriety.

Politics over alleged ‘mistreatment’ of Swami Avimukteshwaranand by the Prayagraj mela authorities started on January 18 on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya when the seer allegedly attempted to reach the Sangam for bathing on his chariot against the permission, the administration said. The seer alleged that his followers were mistreated and thrashed by the police.

The blame game escalated last week after the fair administration served notice on the religious leader accusing him of disturbing peace, law and order and questioning him for using the title of ‘Shankaracharya’, which, they said, was prohibited by the Supreme Court.

Several political parties and religious leaders came out in open to support Swami Avimukteshwaranand, while several religious leaders also extended their support to the Uttar Pradesh government stating that rules were for everyone.