Daijiworld Media Network - Ayodhya
Ayodhya, Jan 28: In a fresh escalation of the ongoing controversy involving Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Ayodhya deputy GST commissioner Prashant Kumar Singh has tendered his resignation, stating that he is doing so in support of the chief minister, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Constitution and democracy.
The dispute began earlier this month after the Shankaracharya and his supporters alleged that they were prevented from taking a holy dip at the Sangam in Prayagraj during the Magh Mela. The administration, however, maintained that his chariot procession was stopped only to avoid a possible stampede in the heavily crowded area and that he was requested to proceed on foot like other devotees.
Calling the incident an “insult”, the Shankaracharya launched a protest, leading to sharp exchanges between him and the chief minister. Without naming him, Yogi Adityanath had cautioned people against ‘Kalanemi’, referring to the Ramayana demon who disguised himself as a saint to deceive Lord Hanuman.
Responding strongly, the Shankaracharya said the chief minister, as a politician, should focus on governance issues such as education, health, law and order and prosperity, while religious matters should be left to spiritual leaders.
The Shankaracharya also weighed in on the controversy surrounding the newly notified UGC rules that propose special committees, helplines and monitoring teams to address complaints, particularly from SC, ST and OBC students. While several political leaders and general category students have raised concerns that the framework could lead to discrimination, the Shankaracharya criticised the move, stating that injustice is committed by individuals and not by castes as a whole, and warned that pitching communities against each other could harm Hinduism.
On Tuesday, Singh said he could not tolerate what he described as “insult” directed at the chief minister, Prime Minister and others. He claimed he was deeply hurt by what he called unrestrained remarks made by Avimukteshwaranand, alleging they were aimed at dividing society.
“This government is my ‘annadata’. I have eaten its salt and I am indebted to it. It is not my duty to keep drawing salary like a robot,” Singh said, adding that Yogi Adityanath is a democratically elected chief minister and he could not accept personal remarks against him.
Singh further said he was pained by the political debate surrounding the UGC issue and that he would take up social work after his resignation is accepted.