Ayodhya GST officer breaks down, quits amid escalating spat between Shankaracharya and UP CM Adityanath | Video

Yogi Adityanath

• Ayodhya GST official resigns, supporting UP govt and protesting against remarks.
• Resignation follows similar move by Bareilly magistrate over UGC regulations
• Shankaracharya criticizes UGC rules, warns of caste tensions and harm to Hinduism.

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The confrontation between Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has intensified following the resignation of a senior GST official in Ayodhya, who said he stepped down in solidarity with the state government, the Prime Minister and constitutional values.

On Tuesday, Prashant Kumar Singh, deputy commissioner in the Uttar Pradesh GST department posted in Ayodhya, tendered his resignation, citing moral reasons. Breaking down, he said he could not accept what he described as offensive remarks against the chief minister and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“I have resigned in support of the government, the chief minister, Prime Minister, Home minister, the Constitution and democracy, and in accordance with the rules for government employees. I have been pained by Avimukteshwaranand's unrestrained comments, which are aimed at dividing society,” Singh said.

He added, “This government is my 'annadata' (food provider). I am indebted to it ('maine iska namak khaya hai'). It is not my duty to keep drawing salary like a robot. Yogi Adityanath is a democratically elected chief minister and I cannot tolerate this insult.”

Speaking to ANI, 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 also said he had forwarded his resignation directly to the Governor and plans to take up social work once it is accepted.

Singh’s decision follows a similar move by Bareilly city magistrate Alankar Agnihotri, who stepped down a day earlier. In his letter to Governor Anandiben Patel and the Bareilly district magistrate, Agnihotri sought withdrawal of the UGC’s Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026, alleging they could lead to “atrocities against Brahmins” and trigger social tension. He also referred to the Magh Mela incident involving the Shankaracharya as indicative of a decline in faith, free expression and republican ideals.

#WATCH | Ayodhya, UP | On his resignation, Prashant Kumar Singh, GST Commissioner, Ayodhya, says, "In favour of the government and to oppose Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand, I have resigned. For the last 2 days, I was deeply hurt by his baseless allegations against our CM… pic.twitter.com/ajPjHErYIQ

— ANI (@ANI) January 27, 2026

So far, there has been no official response from the Governor’s office regarding acceptance of the resignations.

The controversy dates back to earlier this month, when the Shankaracharya and his followers claimed they were prevented from taking a ceremonial dip at the Sangam during the Magh Mela in Prayagraj.

Authorities maintained that his chariot procession was halted only to avoid a potential stampede in an already congested area and that he was requested to walk like other pilgrims.

Calling the episode an “insult”, the Shankaracharya launched a protest that soon turned into a war of words with the chief minister. Without naming him, Yogi Adityanath cautioned people against figures like ‘Kalanemi’, a demon from the Ramayana who disguised himself as a saint to deceive Lord Hanuman.

Responding sharply, the Shankaracharya said the chief minister had crossed into the political domain and should refrain from commenting on religious matters.

“A politician who is the chief minister doesn't talk about education, health, law and order, or the state's prosperity. He talks about Kalanemi and religion and irreligion. How appropriate is this? The chief minister should discuss the prosperity of his state. The issue of religion should be left to religious leaders,” he said.

UGC regulations add another layer

The seer also entered the debate surrounding new University Grants Commission regulations mandating the creation of special committees, helplines and monitoring cells to address complaints, especially from SC, ST and OBC students.

Some general category students and political leaders have argued that the framework could lead to discrimination against them. The Shankaracharya criticised the move, saying, “No caste is inherently unjust; it is individuals who act unjustly. Every caste has both good and bad people. An individual may commit injustice, but no caste as a whole can be labelled just or unjust. By pitching one caste against another, you are taking a misguided step. This could cause great harm to Hinduism. Therefore, this law should be immediately repealed.”