In a swift administrative move, the Uttar Pradesh government has suspended Provincial Civil Service (PCS) officer Alankar Agnihotri, who serves as the Bareilly City Magistrate. This action came mere hours after Agnihotri publicly announced his dramatic resignation, citing strong opposition to the newly implemented University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations and the alleged manhandling of Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, a prominent Shankaracharya.
Immediate Suspension Following Public Resignation
The state government, through its Appointments department, issued the suspension order late on Monday night. Officials stated that Agnihotri has been suspended on grounds of indiscipline and defiance of service rules, specifically for violating the Uttar Pradesh Government Servant (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1999.
According to government sources, the officer's decision to go public with his resignation and level allegations against the administration before his resignation could be formally submitted and accepted constituted a clear breach of protocol. This premature public disclosure has been deemed a serious act of misconduct, warranting immediate disciplinary action.
Officer's Allegations and Social Media Protest
Alankar Agnihotri, a 2019-batch officer, posted a photograph on social media outside his official residence. The image featured a poster with several provocative messages, including demands to "#UGC rollback, kala kanoon wapas lo (take back the black law)" and the statement "Shankaracharya aur sanaton ka yeh apman nahi sahega Hindustan (India will not tolerate this insult to Shankaracharya and the Sanatan tradition)." The poster concluded with calls to 'boycott BJP' and 'boycott Brahmin MP MLA'.
In his statements, Agnihotri alleged that the new UGC rules would lead to the harassment of general category students. He further claimed that an "anti-Brahmin campaign is going on in the Uttar Pradesh government." After announcing his resignation from the Bareilly District Magistrate's office on Monday night—where he alleged he was briefly held hostage—the officer vacated his government accommodation.
Background of the Controversial UGC Regulations
The controversy stems from the UGC's Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026, notified on January 13. These rules mandate all higher education institutions to form 'equity committees' tasked with investigating discrimination complaints. These committees are required to include representatives from Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), persons with disabilities, and women.
While aimed at promoting inclusivity, the regulations have faced significant criticism from general category students and some political quarters. They argue that the framework could potentially lead to reverse discrimination. Reports indicate that some BJP office-bearers in Noida and Lucknow have also resigned in protest against these rules, highlighting the growing political tension surrounding the issue.
The Shankaracharya Incident and Political Fallout
The second major point of contention cited by Agnihotri involves Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath in Uttarakhand. The officer referenced an incident on January 18, during Mauni Amavasya, where the Uttar Pradesh Police allegedly prevented the seer from taking a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj.
This event has since escalated into a significant political battlefield, with various groups accusing the state administration of disrespecting Hindu religious traditions. Agnihotri's resignation letter explicitly linked his protest to this incident, amplifying the existing discord between certain sections of the bureaucracy and the government.
Administrative Actions and Inquiry Process
Following his suspension, Alankar Agnihotri has been attached to the District Magistrate's office in Shamli. A formal inquiry into his conduct will be conducted under the supervision of the Divisional Commissioner of Bareilly. The suspension letter was officially issued during the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday, underscoring the government's rapid response.
Agnihotri, who hails from Kanpur, is an accomplished officer with a BTech degree from IIT-BHU and a law degree. His career includes previous postings as Additional Municipal Commissioner in Lucknow from 2003 to 2005, and as Deputy Collector in districts such as Etah, Balrampur, and Unnao. His current unavailability for comment adds another layer to this unfolding administrative and political drama.
The suspension of a senior officer over such publicly stated grievances highlights the deepening complexities at the intersection of governance, education policy, and socio-religious sentiments in Uttar Pradesh. It remains to be seen how this disciplinary proceeding will influence broader discussions on bureaucratic conduct and policy implementation in the state.
