LUCKNOW, Aug. 5 -- An order issued by the panchayati raj department that linked the removal of illegal encroachments to specific castes and religious communities has given fresh ammunition to the opposition that alleged that such orders exposed the mentality of the Uttar Pradesh government.

However, the state government has suspended the joint director of the panchayati raj department following the directives of CM Yogi Adityanath who has also expressed his displeasure over the controversial order. He termed the directive "completely discriminatory and unacceptable" and ordered its immediate withdrawal. He also described the incident as a serious administrative lapse.

The order, which directed officials to clear encroachments from Gram ...