Lucknow: An IAS officer has set high standards of accountability by practicing what he preaches. On the first day of his joining as a sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) in the Shahjahanpur district of Uttar Pradesh, Rinku Singh Rahi was seen doing sit-ups as the tehsil premises – under his direct control – were unclean.
The incident occurred on Tuesday during an inspection by Rahi. While doing the rounds, he spotted litter around the compound and witnessed people relieving themselves out in the open. He caught hold of them and made them do sit-ups as punishment.
“I had earlier instructed people to use toilets, but some refused and continued urinating in the open, prompting me to make them do sit-ups,” Rahi said.
The SDM also spotted some school children roaming around the premises aimlessly. He summoned their parents and made them (the parents) do sit-ups for their failure to take proper care of the children.
Trouble erupted when he pulled up a law clerk for urinating in the open. A group of advocates immediately launched a protest.
Rahi faced the lawyers and explained the situation. “The advocates were on strike. When I met them, they asked me about the sit-ups. I explained that the act was meant to prevent repeat offences. They then pointed out that the tehsil premises were also dirty and asked if I would do sit-ups for that too. I said yes, since it was our fault, I did it,” he explained.
A video showing SDM Rahi holding his ears and doing sit-ups, with advocates standing around, has now gone viral on social media.
“An official told me that there was a lot of filth here 10 days ago, he has got the filth cleaned to a large extent. Even after this, if the problem remains, then it is our mistake and I accept it,” Rahi said.
“I joined today and saw a man defecating outside the toilet. I told him not to do so and use the toilet instead, but he refused to pay heed. So, I made him do sit-ups. When I went to the lawyers, they asked whether I would punish myself for something that is not right under my charge. I said yes, and then did the sit-ups as the tehsil premises are not yet fully clean,” he explained further.
The protest by the lawyers was eventually called off after Rahi’s public apology and symbolic act of accountability. He later said the gesture was also meant to build a better relationship with the legal fraternity.