On his very first day in office as the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Powayan tehsil in Shahjahanpur district, IAS officer Rinku Singh Rahi became the center of public and media attention after a video of him doing sit-ups in front of protesting advocates went viral. His unique approach to administrative responsibility and public discipline has sparked widespread discussion.

The incident occurred on Tuesday during Rahi’s initial inspection of the tehsil premises. During his visit, he observed people urinating in public areas right beside functioning toilets and found the compound strewn with garbage. In response, he instructed the offenders to perform sit-ups on the spot to discourage such behaviour.

“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,” he explained.

The officer also encountered several school children aimlessly roaming the area, accompanied by their parents. Concerned about the children’s absence from school, Rahi took similar action. “It felt that primary school students were missing out on education because of their parents. To educate parents on the importance of education and discourage such behaviour, ensuring kids go to school, I made parents do sit-ups,” he said.

However, tensions rose when a group of lawyers, already on strike, objected to Rahi’s methods. One of the clerks associated with the lawyers was allegedly caught urinating in the open and was asked to do sit-ups. This prompted an argument.

“Today, SDM was inspecting the premises when our clerk was found urinating. He stopped him and made him do sit-ups. We questioned him on why he made our man do that,” stated advocate Virendra Kumar Yadav.

The lawyers challenged Rahi’s authority, pointing out the overall dirty condition of the tehsil compound, including filthy toilets and the presence of stray animals. They asked whether he would subject himself to the same public discipline for the administration’s shortcomings.

According to Rahi, the conversation went as follows: “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.”

A video of the IAS officer holding his ears and doing sit-ups in front of the advocates quickly made its way across social media platforms, attracting reactions from various corners of the administrative and legal communities.

Rahi further elaborated, saying, “Look, I joined today and I saw a man defecating outside the toilet. I told him not to do that and to use the toilet, but he didn’t listen. So I made him do sit-ups. When I went to the lawyers, they said if someone does wrong, will you punish yourself too? I said yes, and that’s why I did sit-ups there.”

While speaking about the conditions of the tehsil, Rahi mentioned that prior efforts had been made to clean the premises. “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,” he said.

He also added that public feedback would help improve the functioning of the office. “I have asked people to point out our mistakes so that we can rectify them,” Rahi said.

Following this gesture, the protest by the lawyers was called off, with many praising the SDM’s humility and willingness to lead by example.