GST Deputy Commissioner Prashant Kumar Singh on Tuesday offered his resignation in protest against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati’s “foul language” against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Singh’s resignation comes a day after Provincial Civil Service (PCS) officer Alankar Agnihotri was suspended for indiscipline and defying service rules, hours after he publicly announced his resignation in protest against the new University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations and the alleged manhandling of Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati.
Ayodhya GST Deputy Commissioner Resigns in Protest Over Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand’s Remarks Against CM Yogi Adityanath
In a striking display of personal conviction amid escalating tensions, Prashant Kumar Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Goods and Services Tax (GST) posted in Ayodhya, tendered his resignation on January 27, 2026. Singh cited deep emotional distress over alleged “offensive” and “foul language” remarks made by Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of Jyotish Peeth, against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Speaking to mediapersons in Ayodhya after submitting his resignation to Governor Anandiben Patel, Singh explained his decision: “I had not slept for two nights… I have resigned in support of the Government, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and against Swami Avimukteshwaranand. I was hurt for the past few days following his statements against CM Adityanath. I could not take it anymore, so I decided to offer my resignation.”
He further expressed pain over what he described as “despicable attempts to divide the nation based on caste and religion from the sacred land of Prayagraj,” adding that as a government servant bound by service rules, he could not remain indifferent. Some reports indicate Singh also referenced support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Constitution, framing his action as a moral duty to oppose perceived insults to elected leadership.
The controversy stems from ongoing friction between Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and the Yogi Adityanath government. The Shankaracharya, who has previously skipped the 2024 Ram Temple consecration ceremony citing scriptural concerns over the structure being incomplete, has been vocal on various issues, including alleged mistreatment during events in Prayagraj. His recent statements reportedly targeted the CM, prompting strong reactions.
This incident follows a related episode involving PCS officer Alankar Agnihotri, who was suspended the same day for indiscipline after announcing a resignation linked to UGC regulations and claims of manhandling involving the Shankaracharya.
Singh’s resignation highlighted administrative ripples from the Shankaracharya-government row, drawing attention to Ayodhya—a city transformed into a major pilgrimage and economic center post-Ram Temple consecration—amid broader debates on faith, governance, and public service conduct.
Note: Subsequent developments reported that Prashant Kumar Singh withdrew his resignation days later (around January 31, 2026), resuming duties and clarifying the decision was personal without external pressure. He also addressed separate inquiries regarding his disability certificate. The episode underscores the intense sensitivities surrounding religious and political discourse in Uttar Pradesh.