UGC regulations, Magh Mela dispute trigger bureaucrat fallout
In the era of social media, as reel making gets popular at every nook and corner, a bizzare trend seems to have emerged. Uttar Pradesh’s GST Deputy Commissioner Prashant Kumar Singh on Tuesday took to social media to share his agony while calling on the phone to his wife, where he expressed that he resigned in protest against Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand's "objectionable" remarks against Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Singh said he was deeply hurt by what he described as recent attempts to divide the country on the basis of caste and religion, allegedly emanating from the holy land of Prayagraj. Singh said he was stepping down in support of the government, the Constitution and the country's elected leadership.
But Singh’s trend was a follow-up of a similar resentment expressed by a 2019-batch Provincial Civil Service officer, Alankar Agnihotri, who tendered his resignation on Monday, citing deep disagreement with government policies, especially the new UGC regulations, which, he claimed, could foment caste-based discontent and vitiate the academic environment.
"Over the past few days, there have been despicable attempts to divide the nation based on caste and religion from the sacred land of Prayagraj. I am deeply pained by this," Singh said.
GST commissioner Singh said he took this decision in support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Constitution of India. "I have resigned in support of the honourable prime minister, honourable chief minister and honourable home minister and in support of the Constitution of India," he said in conversation to his wife, which he got recorded and apparently got shared on social media.
Singh referred to statements made by Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand against CM Adityanath. "From the holy land of Prayagraj, Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand has made objectionable remarks against our state's elected leader, who is constitutionally holding the post," he said.
He added that if such behaviour was directed against the state or its leadership, he would oppose it while remaining within the limits prescribed for a government employee. "If such conduct continues against my state and its head, then while remaining within my constitutional and service boundaries as an employee, I will oppose it. That is why I have submitted my resignation today," Singh said.
Jyotish Peeth Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati had lashed out at Chief Minister Adityanath after police allegedly stopped him and his followers from going in a chariot for a holy dip in the Ganga during the Magh Mela in Prayagraj on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya on January 18. He has demanded an apology from senior officials of the mela administration and the police.
A day earlier, after the Uttar Pradesh government suspended Bareilly City Magistrate Alankar Agnihotri on charges of indiscipline following his resignation from service in protest against government policies, especially the new UGC rules, the latter on Tuesday sat on a dharna at the district magistrate's office, alleging a well-planned conspiracy against him.
Agnihotri, whose suspension triggered a major administrative and political controversy in the state, has been attached to the office of the Shamli district magistrate, according to an order issued on Monday night.
On Tuesday, Agnihotri stepped up his protest as he staged a sit-in outside the district magistrate's office with his supporters, raising slogans against the administration. Agnihotri said he would approach the high court, and if required, would take the matter to the Supreme Court.
Aghinotri sent his resignation e-mail to Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Bareilly District Magistrate Avinash Singh on Monday, officials said. In his resignation statement, Agnihotri described the new UGC regulations as a "black law".
He alleged that the rules were harming the academic atmosphere in colleges and universities and demanded their immediate withdrawal.
The UGC regulations published on January 13 to curb caste-based discrimination in higher educational institutions mandate the setting up of special committees, helplines and monitoring teams to address complaints, particularly from SC, ST and OBC students.
In a strongly worded and emotional statement accompanying his resignation, Agnihotri also levelled serious allegations against the system and attacked the Centre on issues including the alleged insult of the Brahmin community and an incident related to the recent Magh Mela in Prayagraj.
He also called upon the elected representatives from the Brahmin community at the Centre and the state to resign from their posts and stand with the community, claiming that the general category was increasingly distancing itself from both governments.
He also called upon the elected representatives from the Brahmin community at the Centre and the state to resign from their posts and stand with the community, claiming that the general category was increasingly distancing itself from both governments.
