Resignation Citing Moral Anguish
In his statement, Singh said the recent developments had caused him profound distress. He referred to what he termed “despicable attempts” to create divisions in society, allegedly emerging from the sacred land of Prayagraj during the ongoing Magh Mela.
According to Singh, his decision to resign was driven by a sense of moral responsibility rather than political pressure. He asserted that while he remained bound by service rules as a government employee, he could not silence his conscience.
Support for Constitutional Authority
Singh emphasised that his resignation was meant as a gesture of support for the Constitution of India and the country’s elected leadership. He explicitly expressed solidarity with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
“I have resigned in support of the honourable prime minister, the honourable chief minister and the honourable home minister, and in support of the Constitution of India,” Singh said, according to sources familiar with his statement.
Remarks Against UP Chief Minister
The officer’s resignation specifically referenced remarks made by Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, head of Jyotish Peeth Badrinath, against Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Singh described the comments as objectionable, noting that the chief minister is a constitutionally elected leader.
He said criticism of elected representatives from religious platforms undermines democratic institutions and risks inflaming social tensions, particularly during sensitive religious gatherings such as the Magh Mela.
Background of the Magh Mela Row
The controversy began earlier this month when police stopped Swami Avimukteshwaranand and his followers from proceeding in a chariot for a holy dip in the Ganga on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya. The incident reportedly occurred due to administrative restrictions aimed at crowd control during the Magh Mela.
Following the incident, the Magh Mela administration issued a notice to Avimukteshwaranand, questioning how he was projecting himself as the Shankaracharya of Jyotish Peeth despite a Supreme Court order that bars any such enthronement until the disposal of a pending appeal.
Protest and Political Reactions
Since receiving the notice, Avimukteshwaranand has been sitting on protest outside his camp at the mela site. He has reportedly abstained from food and water, demanding an apology from senior officials of the mela administration and the police.
The issue has also attracted political attention. Congress and Samajwadi Party workers staged protests in Prayagraj, alleging insult to the Shankaracharya. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Shankersinh Vaghela visited the saint during his sit-in protest, lending further visibility to the standoff.
‘Not Emotionless,’ Says Officer
Explaining his decision, Singh said that while he was bound by Uttar Pradesh service rules and dependent on his government salary, he could not remain “emotionless” in the face of what he perceived as repeated attacks on constitutional authority.
He added that if such conduct continued, he would oppose it within the limits set by the Constitution and service regulations. His resignation, he said, was an extension of that commitment.
Administrative and Public Impact
The resignation of a serving GST Deputy Commissioner has sparked debate within administrative circles, raising questions about the intersection of personal conscience, religious discourse and bureaucratic neutrality.
While the Uttar Pradesh government has not yet issued an official response to Singh’s resignation, the episode underscores the wider societal and political tensions surrounding the Magh Mela controversy.
