Shankaracharya–Yogi Adityanath Face-Off Intensifies as Ayodhya Officer Resigns

The standoff between Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has escalated further with the resignation of an Ayodhya-based bureaucrat

Who said he stepped down in support of the chief minister, the Prime Minister and the Constitution. The controversy began earlier this month after the Shankaracharya and his supporters alleged that he was stopped from taking a holy dip at the Sangam in Prayagraj during the Magh Mela. The local administration, however, maintained that his chariot procession was halted to avoid a possible stampede in the heavily crowded area and that he was requested to proceed on foot like other devotees.

Terming the episode an “insult”, the Shankaracharya launched a protest, triggering a sharp war of words with the chief minister. Without naming him, Yogi Adityanath warned against figures like ‘Kalanemi’—the demon from the Ramayana who disguised himself as a saint to deceive Lord Hanuman—remarks widely interpreted as a swipe at the Shankaracharya.

Responding to the comment, Swami Avimukteshwaranand said Yogi Adityanath was now a politician and should leave religious matters to seers.
“A politician who is the chief minister should talk about education, health, law and order and the prosperity of the state. Instead, he talks about Kalanemi and religion. How appropriate is this?” the Shankaracharya said.

He also entered the debate over the new University Grants Commission (UGC) framework that proposes special committees, helplines and monitoring teams to address grievances, particularly those raised by SC, ST and OBC students. Critics, including some general category students and political leaders, have argued that the rules could result in discrimination.

Criticising the move, the Shankaracharya told IANS that no caste could be labelled as inherently just or unjust. “An individual may commit injustice, but no caste as a whole can be blamed. By pitching one caste against another, you are taking a misguided step. This could cause great harm to Hinduism. This law should be immediately repealed,” he said.

The row took a political turn on Tuesday when Ayodhya Deputy GST Commissioner Prashant Kumar Singh resigned, saying he could not tolerate what he described as an “insult” to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other constitutional authorities.

“I have resigned in support of the government, the chief minister, the Prime Minister, the Home Minister, the Constitution and democracy, and in accordance with the rules for government employees,” Singh said. He accused the Shankaracharya of making divisive and personal remarks against the chief minister.

“This government is my annadata. I am indebted to it. It is not my duty to draw a salary like a robot,” Singh added, stressing that Yogi Adityanath is a democratically elected chief minister and that he could not remain silent in the face of such remarks.

Singh said he was also hurt by the political debate surrounding the UGC issue and announced that he would take up social work after his resignation is formally accepted.