Former Bareilly Magistrate Alankar Agnihotri Speaks Out on Resignation and UGC Regulations
Alankar Agnihotri, the former Bareilly city magistrate who made headlines by resigning on Republic Day in protest against the University Grants Commission's new anti-discrimination regulations, has broken his silence in an exclusive interview. The officer, who was subsequently suspended by the Uttar Pradesh government on charges of indiscipline, described his dramatic decision as a response to what he perceives as a "deeper leadership crisis within the community."
The Protest and Its Aftermath
Following his resignation, Agnihotri staged a dharna after being denied entry to meet the Bareilly district magistrate. He has since been attached to the office of the Shamli district magistrate, where a departmental inquiry is currently underway. The 40-year-old officer, who cleared the Provincial Civil Service examination in 2019, revealed that he was taken from his residence and escorted in a fleet of government vehicles to an undisclosed location shortly after speaking with media.
"I cleared PCS in 2019 and, given the trajectory, I could become an IAS officer in a few years," Agnihotri stated. "But when Brahmin leadership does not speak up on issues affecting the community, someone has to step forward."
Concerns About UGC Regulations
Agnihotri described the UGC's new anti-discrimination regulations as potentially punitive and harmful. "Their agenda is very clear: create further divisions in society and make the premises of educational institutions a battleground," he asserted, referring to the ruling party. "It will kill careers and the future. Think of it. A student has a promising career, and he or she is working hard to attain knowledge. Now, with the help of this new provision, anyone can accuse this student of discrimination, leading to legal action against him and the destruction of his career. And who is going to suffer? Obviously, the general category."
The former magistrate claimed he had raised these concerns with leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party. "Brahmin politicians must take responsibility to fight it on the forefront," he emphasized. "I asked leaders associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party to resign if they cannot raise these concerns effectively."
Political Ambitions and Community Mobilization
When questioned about whether his move signals political ambitions, Agnihotri responded cautiously. "Whether I will enter politics or not is a matter for the future," he said. "If society feels I should take on a political role, I will consider it. At present, I am only raising my voice for the Brahmin community."
He revealed that discussions about the UGC issue are ongoing in six states and across 75 districts in Uttar Pradesh. "We are standing firmly on this issue," Agnihotri declared, indicating broader mobilization around the controversy.
Triggering Incident and Personal Background
Agnihotri cited the recent incident involving Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand as a significant trigger for his decision. "The insult to Shankaracharya deeply shook me," he explained. "That incident compelled me to act." He added that he considers himself a disciple of the seer and spoke to him personally before stepping down from his position.
The officer's personal journey adds context to his principled stand. Raised in Kanpur by his mother after his father's death when he was just 10 years old, Agnihotri holds a BTech degree from IIT (BHU), Varanasi. He worked in the private sector for nearly 11 years, including a stint in the United States, before clearing the PCS examination on his first attempt after six months of preparation in 2019. Married with a 10-month-old son, Agnihotri reflected, "My life has always been full of struggles but I try to stand for what is right. With that motto I have resigned."
The case continues to unfold as the departmental inquiry proceeds, highlighting tensions between administrative discipline, community representation, and educational policy in Uttar Pradesh.
