Ayodhya GST Officer Quits Over Shankaracharya’s Comments on CM Yogi

A GST Deputy Commissioner posted in Ayodhya resigned from service on Tuesday, citing objectionable remarks allegedly made by Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Prashant Kumar Singh said his decision was driven by deep anguish over what he described as attempts to divide the country along caste and religious lines. According to news agency PTI, he said he was stepping down in support of the government, the Constitution, and the country’s elected leadership.

“Over the past few days, there have been despicable attempts to divide the nation based on caste and religion from the sacred land of Prayagraj. I am deeply pained by this,” Singh was quoted as saying.

He said his resignation was a show of support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Adityanath, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and the Constitution of India.

“I have resigned in support of the honourable prime minister, chief minister and home minister, and in support of the Constitution,” he added.

Singh specifically referred to remarks made by Avimukteshwaranand against the chief minister, calling them inappropriate. “From the holy land of Prayagraj, objectionable comments were made against our state’s elected leader, who is constitutionally holding the post,” he said.

The resignation comes amid an ongoing dispute between Jyotish Peeth Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and the Uttar Pradesh administration.

The controversy began after the saint criticised the administration when police stopped him and his followers from proceeding in a chariot for a holy dip in the Ganga during the Magh Mela in Prayagraj on January 18.

Subsequently, the Magh Mela administration issued a notice questioning his claim as Shankaracharya of Jyotish Peeth, citing a Supreme Court order barring such appointments until an appeal is decided.

Avimukteshwaranand has since been staging a protest at the mela campus, demanding an apology from officials. Political leaders and workers from the Congress and Samajwadi Party have also held demonstrations in support of him.

Singh said that while he was bound by service rules as a government employee, he could not remain indifferent.

“I am bound by service rules and my family depends on my salary, but I am not emotionless,” he said. “If such conduct continues, I will oppose it within constitutional and service limits. That is why I have resigned.”