SHAHJAHANPUR, UTTAR PRADESH – In an extraordinary display of accountability that quickly went viral, IAS officer Rinku Singh Rahi, on his very first day as the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Puwaiyan tehsil, performed sit-ups in public, taking responsibility for the unclean state of the government premises. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, July 29, has sparked widespread discussion across administrative and social media circles.
Upon assuming his new charge, SDM Rahi embarked on an inspection of the tehsil office. During his tour, he was dismayed to find the premises littered and several individuals openly urinating, despite the availability of public toilets. As a measure to enforce discipline and deter such behavior, Rahi reportedly made some of the offenders perform sit-ups on the spot.
However, the situation took an unexpected turn when a group of advocates, who were already on strike, confronted the newly appointed SDM. While questioning Rahi about his method of punishment, the lawyers pointed out the dilapidated and unsanitary conditions within the tehsil office itself, including filthy toilets and the presence of stray animals. They challenged him, asking if he, too, would perform sit-ups for the administrative lapse.
In a move that caught many by surprise, Rinku Singh Rahi, holding his ears, agreed to their challenge. He performed several sit-ups in front of the assembled advocates and public, openly admitting that the lack of cleanliness within the tehsil premises was indeed the administration's fault. "Since it was our fault, I did it," Rahi was quoted saying, acknowledging his responsibility as the head of the office.
A video of the IAS officer’s unique act of public apology and self-punishment quickly circulated online, drawing mixed reactions. While many lauded his humility and willingness to lead by example, others questioned the appropriateness of such a display.
The very next day following the incident, Rahi was transferred to the Revenue Council in Lucknow, a development that has also garnered attention. Despite the transfer, his unconventional approach to governance and immediate acceptance of responsibility for public facilities' shortcomings has left a lasting impression, highlighting the challenges of maintaining basic civic standards in public offices. The incident underscores a rare moment where a top bureaucrat chose immediate, public accountability over traditional administrative responses.
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