The controversy involving Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati has now extended beyond religious and political debate and entered the administrative domain in Uttar Pradesh, following the resignation of Ayodhya GST Deputy Commissioner Prashant Kumar Singh. His decision comes just days after the resignation of a senior magistrate in Bareilly, signalling that the issue has begun to directly affect serving government officials and the functioning of the state administration.
On Tuesday, Singh tendered his resignation from service, publicly declaring that his decision was an expression of support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. He stated that he was deeply disturbed by what he termed repeated and unfounded allegations made by Swami Avimukteshwaranand against the country’s top political leadership over the preceding two days.
Speaking to reporters, Singh said that he felt morally compelled to resign in defence of the government. He explained that as a public servant drawing his salary from the state, he carried a responsibility to stand by the constitutional authorities he served under. He added that seeing the Prime Minister and Chief Minister being publicly insulted caused him significant emotional distress, prompting him to submit his resignation papers to the Governor.
In his resignation letter, Singh elaborated on his objections to the language and conduct of the Shankaracharya. He acknowledged that the Constitution guarantees democratic means of protest, but argued that the use of abusive or derogatory language against constitutional authorities, especially from a symbolic position such as a palanquin, was socially divisive. According to him, such statements fostered caste-based hostility, undermined social harmony, and therefore deserved open opposition rather than silence.
The 48-year-old officer, who hails from Sarwa village in Mau district, detailed his service background while explaining his decision. He began his career with a posting in Saharanpur and was transferred to Ayodhya on October 21, 2023. Singh clarified that until his resignation is formally accepted, he would continue to discharge his official duties. After his exit from service, he said, he intended to devote himself to social work.
Sources close to the officer said Singh was visibly emotional after submitting his resignation. In conversations with his wife, he reportedly said that he had been unable to sleep for two nights due to mental turmoil. Referring to his two young daughters, Singh reportedly stated that despite his family responsibilities, he could not compromise on his self-respect or personal principles.
This resignation follows closely on the heels of another high-profile exit from the state administration. Bareilly City Magistrate Alankar Agnihotri resigned on Republic Day, citing the alleged mistreatment of Swami Avimukteshwaranand’s followers during the Magh Mela and expressing opposition to the UGC’s Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026. In response, the Uttar Pradesh government suspended Agnihotri and ordered a departmental inquiry into his conduct.
The roots of the Shankaracharya controversy lie in events that unfolded on January 18, when authorities allegedly halted Swami Avimukteshwaranand’s palanquin during the Magh Mela, which coincided with the observance of Mauni Amavasya. The seer later claimed that his disciples were pushed and handled roughly by officials, leading him to stage a sit-in protest outside his camp. The situation escalated further after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath used the term “Kaalnemi” to describe certain religious figures, a remark that provoked sharp counter-attacks from the Shankaracharya and exposed visible divisions within the seer community.
With two senior officers stepping down within a span of just two days, the episode has clearly moved beyond a dispute limited to religious leaders or political rhetoric. It has now evolved into a broader administrative and constitutional issue, raising questions about dissent, loyalty, and the role of civil servants amid politically charged controversies in Uttar Pradesh.
