Bareilly City Magistrate Alankar Agnihotri resigned on Mondayas a protest against the UGC’s Equality Act regulations, and the administrative action taken against Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand's disciples. The move, made on Republic Day, has created a stir in political circles.
Before he announced his resignation, he made several posts on Facebook with pluckcards and slogans like "take back the black law" and "boycott BJP". Agnihotri’s resignation letter, addressed to the Governor, the Election Commissioner, and the state election commissioner, has also gone viral on social media. The letter cites the UGC regulations 2026 and the local administration's attack on the disciples of Shankaracharya Shri Avimukteshwarananda during the Magh Mela and calls for his resignation from the Uttar Pradesh Provincial Civil Service, as leading to his decision.
He said that the new UGC regulations would increase the harassment against brahmins. He also said that the UGC regulation 2026 treats the general category as for “self-proclaimed criminals” and said that the provisions made in the name of equality for a particular category are completely condemnable and discriminatory.
He also said that during the Prayagraj Magh Mela, the disciples of Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwarananda of Jyotish Peeth were dragged by their hair and assaulted while bathing on Mauni Amavasya. He called it an attack on the Sanatan tradition.
Agnihotri's mobile phone was found to be switched off after the resignation, leading to further confusion in the city.
Who is Alankar Agnihotri?
Alanakar Agnihotri, who is originally from Kanpur, is the current city magistrate of Bareilly, UP. He is a member of the 2019 batch of the UP PCS and holds a B.Tech and LLB degrees from IIT BHU.
In the letter read addressed to the commisioners he wrote, "I, Alankar Agnihotri, am currently a 2019 batch gazetted officer in the Uttar Pradesh Provincial Service and am serving as City Magistrate, Bareilly in Bareilly district. I also want to bring to your notice that I had the privilege of earning a B.Tech degree from IIT BHU under the All India Hindu University, for which I will remain lifelong grateful to Bharat Ratna Mahamana Madan Mohan Malaviya. Inspired by his dream, the Banaras Hindu University was established. Keeping Kashi and the brave land of Hanumanji in mind, I am speaking my mind."
Before becoming the magistrate, he served as the Deputy Collector in several districts, including Unnao, Balrampur, and Etah. He also served as Assistant Municipal Commissioner in Lucknow.