Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh: In a rare gesture of humility, IAS officer Rinku Singh, newly posted as Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) in Puwaiyan tehsil, made headlines after he performed sit-ups holding his ears to apologize to a group of angry advocates. The unexpected move came amidst an ongoing dispute between the lawyers and local administrative officers over the non-issuance of EWS certificates.
Background: Tensions Brewing Since July 25
The controversy stems from a dispute between advocates and Tehsildar Raghvesh Mani Tripathi, which began on July 25, when several lawyers accused the revenue office of delays and negligence in issuing Economically Weaker Section (EWS) certificates. Following the dispute, advocates began a sit-in protest demanding the transfer of Tehsildar Tripathi and SDM Chitra Nirwal.
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New SDM Rinku Singh Faces First-Day Flare-Up
On Tuesday, District Magistrate Dharmendra Pratap Singh reassigned the SDM position to Joint Magistrate Rinku Singh, who had joined the district just two days earlier. After assuming charge, Rinku Singh visited the protest site to engage with the protesting advocates.
During the conversation, the SDM reportedly warned advocates that disciplinary action could be taken if anyone was found littering the tehsil premises or creating disorder, even suggesting that offenders could be made to do sit-ups as punishment.
उत्तर प्रदेश –
— Sachin Gupta (@SachinGuptaUP) July 29, 2025
शाहजहांपुर में IAS ऑफिसर रिंकू सिंह ने कान पकड़कर वकीलों के सामने उठक–बैठक लगाई, माफी मांगी। ऑफिसर ने वकीलों से कहा था कि तहसील परिसर में गंदगी करने वालों से उठक–बैठक लगवा देंगे। इस बयान से वकीलों में आक्रोश था, वो आंदोलन कर रहे थे। pic.twitter.com/eXLpRffVPZ
Apology Through Action: SDM Performs Sit-Ups
This warning infuriated the advocates, who viewed it as a demeaning threat. Realizing that the situation was escalating, Rinku Singh himself began doing sit-ups, holding his ears in front of the protesting lawyers.
“If anyone felt offended by my statement, I sincerely apologize,” said the SDM while performing the gesture.
This gesture took many by surprise and helped de-escalate the confrontation. Members of the Bar Association, including its President Subhash Chandra Shukla, intervened and requested the SDM to stop. The incident, although unusual, brought momentary calm to a tense standoff.
A Unique Gesture in Public Administration
While public apologies by officials are not unheard of, apologizing through sit-ups is highly unusual and rare in the Indian administrative context. The act is being seen by some as a gesture of humility, while others criticize it as avoidable theatrics that undermine the authority of the civil service.
The dispute over the EWS certificate issuance continues to simmer, but Rinku Singh’s gesture may have bought temporary peace between the local administration and legal fraternity.
