Bareilly City Magistrate Resigns Over UGC Regulations and Shankaracharya Incident
In a dramatic development that has sent shockwaves through Uttar Pradesh's administrative circles, Bareilly City Magistrate Alankar Agnihotri has tendered his resignation, citing two primary reasons: the controversial new University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations and the alleged manhandling of Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath. The 2019-batch Provincial Civil Service (PCS) officer made his resignation public on Monday, creating significant ripples within the state bureaucracy.
Protesting UGC's Equity Regulations
The newly notified UGC regulations, officially titled the Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026, have become a flashpoint for controversy since their announcement on January 13. These rules mandate that all higher education institutions across India must establish dedicated 'equity committees' to examine and address discrimination complaints. These committees are required to include representatives from various marginalized groups, including Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), persons with disabilities, and women.
However, the regulations have faced substantial criticism from general category students and some political quarters, who argue that the framework could potentially lead to reverse discrimination against them. Agnihotri echoed these concerns in his public statements, alleging that the UGC rules would result in systematic harassment of general category students and declaring them solely accountable in discrimination cases.
The Shankaracharya Controversy
The second major factor behind Agnihotri's resignation involves the recent incident involving Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati. According to reports, the Uttar Pradesh Police allegedly prevented the Shankaracharya from taking a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam during Mauni Amavasya on January 18. This incident has since evolved into a significant political controversy, with various groups accusing the state government of disrespecting Hindu religious traditions.
Agnihotri prominently displayed his protest against this incident through a poster outside his residence that read: "Shankaracharya aur sanaton ka yeh apman nahi sahega Hindustan" (India will not tolerate this insult to Shankaracharya and the Sanatan tradition). The poster also contained the hashtag #UGC rollback and called for the withdrawal of what he termed a "black law."
Allegations of Anti-Brahmin Campaign
In his most explosive allegation, Agnihotri claimed that an anti-Brahmin campaign is actively underway within the Uttar Pradesh government. This statement has added a significant caste dimension to the controversy, potentially amplifying its political implications. The officer's resignation letter and subsequent media interactions have brought this sensitive issue into the public spotlight, creating additional challenges for the state administration.
Government Response and Procedural Questions
While Agnihotri's resignation has generated considerable attention, senior government officials have clarified that proper procedures have not yet been followed. According to established protocol, PCS officers must:
- Inform their immediate superiors about their intention to resign
- Submit a formal resignation letter to the Appointments Department
- Wait for acceptance by the Governor
As of late Monday evening, the Appointments Department had not received any official resignation letter from Agnihotri. Bareilly Commissioner Bhupendra Chaudhary confirmed that authorities have taken note of the situation and are examining the matter thoroughly. A senior state government officer emphasized that until a formal resignation is received and accepted, Agnihotri remains in government service and is subject to all applicable Service Rules.
Potential Disciplinary Action
Government sources have indicated that disciplinary action against Agnihotri is being actively considered. Since he continues to be a government servant until his resignation is officially processed, any violations of service conduct rules could lead to formal proceedings. The officer's continued social media statements against the government have reportedly complicated the situation, even as attempts were made to initiate dialogue with him.
Broader Political Implications
The resignation controversy has extended beyond administrative circles, with reports emerging of some BJP office-bearers in Noida and Lucknow also resigning in protest against the UGC regulations. Agnihotri's background adds another layer to the story: he hails from Kanpur, holds a BTech degree from IIT-BHU along with a law degree, and has previously served as Additional Municipal Commissioner in Lucknow (2003-2005) and Deputy Collector in Etah, Balrampur, and Unnao.
This development represents a significant challenge for the Uttar Pradesh government, combining issues of administrative protocol, educational policy, religious sentiment, and caste dynamics. As the situation continues to evolve, all eyes remain on how state authorities will navigate this complex controversy while maintaining administrative discipline and addressing legitimate concerns about equity in higher education.
