Lucknow: Bareilly City Magistrate Alankar Agnihotri resigned from his post on Republic Day. He said he resigned due to being hurt by the new UGC laws and the beating of the disciples of Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand. On Monday evening, Alankar Agnihotri created a stir by making sensational allegations against the district administration. Following this, the government suspended Alankar Agnihotri and handed over the investigation to the Divisional Commissioner of Bareilly. During the investigation, Alankar will be attached to the Shamli DM office.
Upon leaving the DM’s residence, he said, “I was held hostage for 20 minutes and abusive language was used against me.” He said, “DM Avinash Singh received a call from someone in Lucknow. He also used abusive language. The phone’s speaker was on, I heard it myself. I have been given an ultimatum to vacate the government residence within two hours.”
Expressed concern for his safety: The police have also removed the tent set up at his residence. Expressing concern for his safety, the City Magistrate is now vacating his residence. A large crowd of his supporters was present during this controversy.
Resignation sent to the Governor: In his resignation sent to the Governor, he wrote, “I, Alankar Agnihotri, City Magistrate, Bareilly, am resigning from my post with immediate effect in protest against the UGC Regulations 2026 and the assault on the Brahmin disciples of Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand Maharaj of Jyotirmath at the Magh Mela in Prayagraj, where their topknots/shikhas were grabbed and they were beaten.”
2019 batch PCS officer: Alankar Agnihotri is a 2019 batch PCS officer. In his resignation, he has termed the new UGC rules as an ‘attack on the education system’. These rules include provisions for changes in reservation policies in universities, centralization of entrance examinations, and limiting religious/cultural subjects in the curriculum, which many scholars and religious leaders are viewing as an ‘insult to cultural heritage’. It is worth noting that Alankar achieved success in the civil services after working in the IT sector for 10 years.
Hurt to religious sentiments: Agnihotri, while submitting his resignation, said that the incident in Prayagraj has hurt religious sentiments. He told the media that during the Magh Mela, where millions of devotees had gathered for a dip in the Sangam, disciples of Jyotirmath were allegedly assaulted by the police or a mob, who grabbed them by their shikha (tuft of hair), which is considered an insult to Brahmin tradition.
On the other hand, the appointment department and the government have not yet given any response regarding this resignation. The concerned officials of the appointment department have refused to comment.
