Digital News Guru Uttar Pradesh Desk:
In a dramatic reversal, Prashant Kumar Singh, the GST Deputy Commissioner posted in Ayodhya, has withdrawn his resignation and returned to duty after stepping down earlier this month amid a highly publicised controversy.
Why He Resigned
Mr. Singh had initially submitted his resignation on January 27, 2026, citing personal conviction and political sympathy with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His decision came during a series of administrative resignations triggered by backlash over controversial remarks by Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, which he described as offensive towards the Chief Minister and the Prime Minister.
At the time, Mr. Singh said he felt deeply disturbed by the remarks and believed offering his resignation was a way to show loyalty to the state government’s leadership, although his action was unusual for a serving government officer.
Ayodhya GST Deputy Commissioner Back to Duty
On January 31, 2026, Mr. Singh publicly announced that he had withdrawn his resignation and rejoined his official duties as the GST Deputy Commissioner in Ayodhya. He emphasised that no external pressure was applied on him to reverse his decision, and that he chose to return voluntarily.
In his statement, Mr. Singh said he is now working normally in his office and is carrying out his responsibilities without interruption. He pointed out that his earlier decision was not forced by anyone, stating, “I have withdrawn my resignation… there is no pressure on me… I withdrew my resignation without any pressure… today I am in my office and doing my work.”
Broader Context of the Dispute
The resignation and its subsequent withdrawal unfolded amid a period of administrative tension in Uttar Pradesh. Another official — a city magistrate — had also tendered his resignation earlier in late January for reasons connected to the same controversy over alleged insensitive comments involving religious sentiments.
In addition to the political overtones, Mr. Singh’s resignation was also caught up in a sensitive internal family dispute. He alleged serious criminal issues involving his brother, Vishwajit Singh, claiming he was an active member and financial advisor of the Mukhtar Ansari gang — a charge that brought additional attention to the situation. Mr. Singh said his brother has “several criminal cases registered against him,” including violent acts such as attacking their parents, while alleging the brother had also submitted a complaint claiming a disability certificate was falsely used by him. Mr. Singh denied any wrongdoing related to the certificate.
Another news report also noted that a complaint was filed by his brother alleging he used a fake disability certificate to secure his government position, prompting an investigation by the Chief Medical Officer in Mau. This added another layer to the controversy surrounding his brief resignation.
Political and Administrative Reactions
While Mr. Singh’s resignation was seen by some observers as a symbolic gesture of solidarity with the state leadership, others questioned its administrative propriety, with critics suggesting that civil servants should avoid politicised actions that could undermine bureaucratic neutrality. His subsequent withdrawal of the resignation has helped defuse tension — at least temporarily — within the GST department and among state officials.
Officials within the Uttar Pradesh administration have not issued any formal statement regarding disciplinary action, and Mr. Singh appears to have resumed his duties without any immediate administrative penalty following his decision to return.
What This Means Locally
- For Ayodhya’s administrative apparatus, the withdrawal of Mr. Singh’s resignation provides short-term stability in the GST office, which handles tax enforcement and compliance in the region.
- For the state government, the reversal helps prevent further resignations or protests by officials, especially at a time when political sensitivities remain high around religious and cultural discourse.
- For the public discourse, the episode highlights challenges around the intersection of bureaucracy, politics, and societal controversies in sensitive areas like Ayodhya, which often attract national attention.
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