In a rare and surprising incident in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, a video of IAS officer and newly appointed Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Rinku Singh Rahi performing sit-ups in front of protesting lawyers has gone viral on social media. The incident took place on his very first day, leaving both lawyers and locals astonished.
The lawyers had been protesting for days, alleging that the tehsil premises were extremely unclean, with garbage scattered around, dirty toilets, and overall mismanagement. Despite repeated complaints, they claimed that no proper action was taken by the administration. Upon taking charge, Rinku Singh Rahi inspected the premises and was reportedly displeased with the unhygienic conditions.
Initially, the officer made a few staff members and locals perform symbolic sit-ups as a form of public reprimand to highlight accountability and cleanliness. However, when the lawyers questioned him, asking if he would also take responsibility for the administrative failure, he immediately agreed. Without hesitation, Rinku Singh Rahi held his ears and performed sit-ups in front of the crowd as a gesture of apology and accountability.
The video of the IAS officer performing sit-ups spread rapidly on social media, drawing mixed reactions. Many netizens praised the act as an example of humility and responsible leadership, highlighting that acknowledging mistakes is a rare trait among government officials. Others, however, criticized the gesture, saying that such acts are unbecoming of a senior bureaucrat and lower the dignity of the office.
Following the incident, the administration assured that immediate measures would be taken to improve the cleanliness of the tehsil premises and strict action would be taken against negligence. Meanwhile, the lawyers’ protest is still ongoing, although the officer’s unusual gesture has sparked a wider discussion about accountability in public service.
