Bareilly City Magistrate quits: What triggered Alankar Agnihotri’s Republic Day resignation?

• Bareilly City Magistrate Agnihotri resigns, citing protest against new UGC rules
• UP govt suspends Agnihotri for indiscipline after his public resignation
• Agnihotri claims UGC rules may cause social unrest and reverse discrimination

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The resignation of Bareilly City Magistrate Alankar Agnihotri on Republic Day has triggered a major political and administrative controversy in Uttar Pradesh. The 2019-batch Provincial Civil Service (PCS) officer said his decision came in protest against the new University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations and the alleged manhandling of Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati.

Agnihotri stated that he could no longer work in a system where policies were dividing society and weakening constitutional and democratic values, according to him.

Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh government has suspended Agnihotri for indiscipline and defying service rules, hours after he publicly announced his resignation.

Objection to UGC regulations

Agnihotri protested the recently notified University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations. In his resignation letter, sent by email to Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Bareilly District Magistrate Avinash Singh, he strongly opposed the “Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026,” which were notified on January 13.

According to Agnihotri, the rules aim to prevent caste-based discrimination in higher education institutions. They propose setting up special committees, helplines, and monitoring systems to address complaints, especially from SC, ST, and OBC students. However, Agnihotri described the regulations as a “black law” and demanded their immediate withdrawal.

Fears of social tension

Speaking to reporters earlier on Republic Day after attending official functions, Agnihotri claimed that the new UGC rules could lead to “atrocities against Brahmins” and create social unrest. Sections of general category students have also expressed concern that the regulations may encourage reverse discrimination.

Agnihotri said such policies could deepen divisions in society rather than promote equality. He stressed that laws should unite people and uphold fairness for all communities.

Which faith-related incidents did Agnihotri cite?

The officer also referred to recent incidents involving religious freedom to support his argument. He mentioned the case of Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand, who was allegedly stopped from taking a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam during the Magh Mela in Prayagraj.

Agnihotri questioned the role of the administration in such matters and said that faith, freedom of expression, and republican values were slowly being weakened. He warned that selective administrative actions could harm public trust in governance.

Allegations against district administration

Tensions escalated later in the day when Agnihotri visited the residence of District Magistrate Avinash Singh. The officer alleged that he was held there against his will for nearly 45 minutes. He claimed he was verbally abused following a phone call from Lucknow and mocked for opposing the UGC regulations.

“I was held hostage at the DM’s residence. I was told to be kept there all night,” Agnihotri alleged. He said he had already alerted the media and managed to leave only after the intervention of the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP).

Administration denies claims

However, the district administration strongly denied these allegations. District Magistrate Avinash Singh called the claims “completely baseless” and said several senior officers were present during the meeting, including additional district magistrates, sub-divisional magistrates, circle officers, Local Intelligence Unit officials, and the SSP.

Singh stated that there was no detention, no abusive language, and no mistreatment of Agnihotri. He declined to comment further on the resignation.

The incident quickly drew political attention. Bareilly Mayor Dr Umesh Gautam visited Agnihotri’s residence and said the UGC regulations needed discussion, though he refrained from commenting directly on the resignation.

Congress state president Ajay Rai called the resignation a serious warning sign and alleged that administrative pressure was increasing while constitutional freedoms were shrinking. Samajwadi Party leader and former MP Praveen Singh Aron said the matter went beyond caste or religion and raised concerns about the dignity and independence of officers.

Alankar Agnihotri’s background

A native of Kanpur Nagar, Agnihotri has served as sub-divisional magistrate in Unnao, Balrampur, and Lucknow. He holds B.Tech and LLB degrees from Banaras Hindu University and has also worked in the United States.

Meanwhile, the resignation has led to mobilisation among Brahmin groups, with leaders gathering at the state guest house in Bareilly.