Shankaracharya–Yogi Row Escalates, Ayodhya Official Resigns
Deputy GST Commissioner quits citing support for CM Yogi, PM Modi and Constitution amid Prayagraj Magh Mela controversy
- Bureaucrat Prashant Kumar Singh resigns backing Yogi Adityanath
- Row began over holy dip at Sangam during Magh Mela
- War of words between Shankaracharya and UP Chief Minister
- UGC caste-discrimination rules also dragged into the dispute
GG News Bureau
Ayodhya, 27th Jan: The standoff between Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath intensified on Tuesday after an Ayodhya-based senior official resigned from his post, citing support for the Chief Minister, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Constitution.
Ayodhya Deputy GST Commissioner Prashant Kumar Singh submitted his resignation, saying he was pained by what he described as “unrestrained comments” by the Shankaracharya and said he could not tolerate what he termed an insult to the Chief Minister and other constitutional authorities.
The controversy began earlier this month when the Shankaracharya and his supporters alleged they were stopped from taking a holy dip at the Sangam in Prayagraj during the Magh Mela. The administration maintained that the chariot procession was halted to prevent a possible stampede and that the seer was asked to proceed on foot like other devotees.
Following the incident, the Shankaracharya termed the move an insult and launched a protest, triggering a sharp exchange of statements. Without naming him, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath warned against “Kalanemi”, a reference to a demon in the Ramayana, which was widely interpreted as a swipe at the seer.
Hitting back, the Shankaracharya said the Chief Minister, being a politician, should focus on governance issues such as education, health and law and order, and leave religious matters to spiritual leaders.
The row further expanded after the Shankaracharya criticised new University Grants Commission (UGC) rules on handling complaints related to caste-based discrimination, warning that such measures could create divisions within society.
Singh, in his resignation statement, said he would now focus on social work once his resignation is accepted, even as the political and religious sparring continues to draw national attention.
