City Magistrate Alankar Agnihotri Suspended After Resigning Over UGC Regulations; Nationwide Protests Intensify

A fresh petition challenging the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) notified Regulations–2026 was filed in the Supreme Court on Tuesday.

Earlier, a student leader from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) had also approached the apex court opposing the regulations, accusing the UGC of adopting a non-inclusive and caste-biased definition of discrimination.

Meanwhile, protests against the new UGC rules have intensified across the country.

In New Delhi, students staged demonstrations outside the UGC headquarters demanding the withdrawal of the “Regulations to Promote Equity in Higher Education Institutions, 2026.”

Similar protests were witnessed in Lucknow and other cities in Uttar Pradesh, where demonstrators took to the streets and burned effigies in opposition.

Amid the growing unrest, Bareilly City Magistrate Alankar Agnihotri tendered his resignation, comparing the new UGC regulations to the colonial-era Rowlatt Act.

The state government, however, suspended him late Monday night, holding him prima facie guilty of participating in anti-government activities while keeping an administrative post.

Orders for departmental proceedings were issued, and the investigation has been handed over to Bareilly Commissioner Bhupendra S. Chaudhary. During the suspension period, Agnihotri has been attached to the District Magistrate’s office in Shamli.

The UGC had notified the “Regulations to Promote Equity in Higher Education Institutions, 2026” on January 13. These rules have faced criticism, particularly from students of the general category, who argue that the framework could lead to discrimination against them.

In his resignation letter, Agnihotri also referred to an alleged assault on Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand and his disciples during the Magh Mela, stating that these incidents deeply hurt him and prompted his decision to step down.

City Magistrate Demands SIT Probe

On Tuesday morning, the suspended City Magistrate once again addressed the media from his residence.

He expressed anger over the use of abusive language against him during a phone call the previous night.

Reiterating his claim of being held hostage at the District Magistrate’s residence, he demanded a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the entire matter by the Prime Minister.

The Mystery Call from Lucknow

As news of Agnihotri’s resignation spread on social media on Monday, crowds of supporters began gathering outside his residence.

The commotion, which started around 2 pm, continued until late Tuesday night. Throughout the chaos, Agnihotri repeatedly raised one question: who was behind the phone call from Lucknow to the District Magistrate regarding him?

Around 12:30 pm on Monday, Agnihotri submitted his resignation. Soon after, he uploaded a photograph on social media holding a “UGC Rollback” poster and made it his profile picture.

He also posted an image showing the word “Resign” written in front of his name at his office. As these visuals went viral, members of several Brahmin and nationalist organisations began assembling at his residence.

Supporters from Akhand Bharat Gaurav Trust, led by Anil Muni, Karni Sena, Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha, and other groups, raised slogans in his support.

In a dramatic protest, Anil Muni removed his clothes and stood semi-nude, declaring that the dignity of the upper-caste community had been stripped away.

He questioned why there was uproar whenever a law was passed in Parliament, but no one spoke against the new UGC regulation.

Tensions Rise After Meeting the DM

The situation escalated further after Agnihotri returned from a meeting with the District Magistrate on Monday night. He accused the administration of detaining him and claimed that his life was in danger.

Announcing that he would vacate his residence within two hours, a truck was called to load his belongings. At around 11 pm, he left the house, returned briefly, then left again without informing anyone, only to return in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Senior officials including ADM City Saurabh Dubey, Additional Commissioner Preeti Jaiswal, ADM Administration Purnima Singh, ADM-J Desh Deepak Singh, SDM Sadar Pramod Kumar, and Tehsildar Vidit Kumar attempted to persuade him to reconsider his resignation.

However, Agnihotri remained firm, stating that his decision was final and irreversible.

When asked about entering politics, he said future steps would depend on the opinion of society. He also mentioned that Brahmin, Kshatriya, and upper-caste organisations from other districts and states were arriving in Bareilly in his support.

Allegations of House Arrest

On Tuesday morning, as news of his suspension emerged, supporters once again gathered outside his residence.

Agnihotri accused the administration of placing him under house arrest.

He insisted on going to the DM’s office to question the alleged phone call containing derogatory remarks against the Brahmin community.

He claimed that the administrative system in the state had completely failed and demanded the Prime Minister’s intervention for an SIT probe. He even called for the imposition of President’s Rule in Uttar Pradesh.

Protest at the Collectorate Gate

Around 11 am on Tuesday, Agnihotri marched with supporters toward the Collectorate. Police closed the gates to prevent their entry, following which they staged a sit-in at the very gate where he once accepted public petitions as City Magistrate.

Later, officials opened the gate and invited them to talks inside the Collectorate hall. Before entering, Agnihotri and his supporters raised loud slogans outside the DM’s office — “UGC Rollback,” “Bam Bam Bhole,” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai.”

However, tensions flared again when the District Magistrate did not appear for discussions and instead sent the ADM City.

Protesters walked out and resumed sloganeering, refusing to leave without meeting the DM.

Though the DM later invited Agnihotri and five supporters to his residence for talks, they declined and moved to Seth Damodar Swaroop Park for a sit-in.

Repeated Marches and Traffic Chaos

At 3:30 pm, the group once again marched to the Collectorate, protesting for nearly an hour and a half. When the DM still did not meet them, they returned to Agnihotri’s residence, where police restricted entry to only him and a few close associates.

Repeated protests led to frequent traffic jams on Junction Road.

Impact on Public Grievance Hearings

Due to the Sunday and Republic Day holiday on Monday, grievance hearings had already been postponed for two days.

On Tuesday, despite expectations of heavy public turnout, very few complainants arrived, as rumours of administrative turmoil discouraged people from visiting the Collectorate.

Timeline of Events

January 26

• 12:30 pm: City Magistrate emailed his resignation
• 1:00 pm: Uploaded photo with “UGC Rollback” poster on Facebook
• 2:00 pm: Supporters began gathering at his residence
• 4:25 pm: ADM City and the Additional Commissioner visited to persuade him
• 6:35 pm: Agnihotri walked toward DM’s residence for talks
• 7:12 pm: SSP Anurag Arya arrived at DM’s residence
• 7:58 pm: Agnihotri accused the administration of detaining him
• 8:05 pm: Claimed threat to life and announced vacating residence
• 8:12 pm: Heavy police deployment at his house
• 10:20 pm: Belongings loaded into truck
• 10:57 pm: Left residence in a private car
• 11:15 pm: Returned briefly
• 1:00 am: Left again quietly
• 3:30 am: Returned home
• 4:00 am (Tuesday): The government suspended him based on the DM’s report

January 27

• 9:50 am: Questioned the mysterious phone call during media interaction
• 10:00 am: A heavy police force was deployed outside his residence
• 10:49 am: Alleged house arrest and demanded SIT probe
• 10:55 am: Suspension notice pasted at the residence
• 11:12 am: Marched toward DM’s office with supporters
• 11:15 am: Demanded President’s Rule in UP
• 11:21 am: Sat on a protest at the Collectorate gate
• 12:12 pm: Slogans outside DM office
• 12:30 pm: Protest resumed after DM did not appear
• 1:42 pm: Moved to Damodar Swaroop Park
• 3:28 pm: Marched again to Collectorate
• 4:57 pm: Returned after no meeting with DM
• 5:09 pm: Police restricted entry to the residence
• 6:25 pm: Supporters remained outside despite the rain

Shankaracharya Offers a Greater Role

Prayagraj/Bareilly: Late Monday night, after Agnihotri’s resignation, he received a phone call from Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand. The religious leader expressed both pain and pride over his decision.

The Shankaracharya said that while it was heartbreaking to see someone leave such a prestigious administrative position that requires years of dedication and discipline to achieve, he also felt immense pride in Agnihotri’s commitment to Sanatan Dharma.

He offered Agnihotri an even greater and more सम्मानजनक (honourable) role in the religious sphere, stating that though the government post may now be gone, the service of dharma carries higher dignity and responsibility.

Agnihotri said he plans to meet Swami Avimukteshwaranand personally within the next two to four days.

The Shankaracharya added that Agnihotri’s courage and devotion have made the entire Sanatan community feel proud and that such individuals are rare.

When committed people step forward to serve dharma, they guide society toward a new direction, he said.

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