Bareilly Magistrate Suspended Amid Controversy Over Resignation and UGC Rules
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A senior magistrate in Uttar Pradesh, Alankar Agnihotri, has been suspended by the state government following a high-profile resignation row. Agnihotri, a 2019-batch Provincial Civil Service officer, had tendered his resignation on Republic Day citing deep disagreement with the government's policies, particularly the new University Grants Commission (UGC) rules. The UGC regulations, introduced on January 13, 2026, aim to curb caste-based discrimination in higher educational institutions. However, Agnihotri described the rules as a 'black law', alleging they are harming the academic atmosphere in colleges and universities. He demanded their immediate withdrawal. A government order has attached Agnihotri to the office of the Shamli district magistrate, pending a departmental inquiry into charges of indiscipline. The inquiry will be led by Bareilly Divisional Commissioner B S Chaudhary. Agnihotri's resignation statement also raised questions about the alleged insult of the Brahmin community and an incident related to the Prayagraj Magh Mela. He called upon elected representatives of the Brahmin community to resign from their posts, citing a perceived distancing of the general category from both governments. The state government's decision to suspend Agnihotri has sparked a major administrative and political controversy, with implications for the UGC rules and the broader academic community in Uttar Pradesh.
