After the resignation of PCS officer and suspended Bareilly City Magistrate Alankar Agnihotri, another senior government officer in Uttar Pradesh has put in his papers, triggering fresh debate within bureaucratic circles.
Photo: IANS
After the resignation of PCS officer and suspended Bareilly City Magistrate Alankar Agnihotri, another senior government officer in Uttar Pradesh has put in his papers, triggering fresh debate within bureaucratic circles.
Prashant Kumar Singh, Deputy Commissioner of the Uttar Pradesh GST department posted in Ayodhya, has resigned from service, citing “moral reasons,” and expressed solidarity with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Singh said he was deeply disturbed by what he termed baseless allegations made by Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand against the CM and the PM.
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Speaking to a news agency after submitting his resignation, Singh said, “In favour of the government and to oppose Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand, I have resigned. For the last two days, I was deeply disturbed by the allegations against our CM and PM.” He added that he had sent his resignation directly to the Governor, saying his decision stemmed from a sense of moral responsibility. “I draw my salary from the government. When my CM and PM were insulted, I felt it was my duty to take a stand,” he said.
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Singh said he had been under mental stress for the past few days and took the decision after careful consideration. He added that once his resignation is accepted, he plans to devote himself to social work using his personal resources.
His resignation comes a day after Bareilly City Magistrate Alankar Agnihotri stepped down. In his resignation letter, Agnihotri demanded the withdrawal of the Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026. While the regulations are aimed at preventing caste-based discrimination in higher education through mandatory committees, helplines, and monitoring mechanisms for SC, ST, and OBC students, Agnihotri alleged they could lead to “atrocities against Brahmins” and fuel social unrest.
Agnihotri also referred to the alleged prevention of Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand from taking a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam during the Magh Mela, claiming it reflected an erosion of faith, freedom of expression, and republican values.
There has been no official response from the Governor’s office so far regarding the acceptance of Prashant Kumar Singh’s resignation.
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