Bareilly City Magistrate Resigns Over UGC Regulations, Alleges Hostage Incident
In a dramatic development on Republic Day, Bareilly city magistrate Alankar Agnihotri submitted his resignation from service, stating he could no longer function within a system whose policies he believes are fostering societal division. The 2019-batch Provincial Civil Service officer expressed strong opposition to the newly notified University Grants Commission regulations, which he claimed could exacerbate caste-based discord and compromise academic integrity.
Resignation Over "Black Law" UGC Framework
In his resignation letter, emailed to Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Bareilly district magistrate Avinash Singh, Agnihotri described the UGC framework as a "black law" and demanded its immediate withdrawal. The regulations, formally titled the Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026 and notified on January 13, aim to prevent caste-based discrimination by mandating special committees, helplines and monitoring mechanisms, particularly for complaints from SC, ST and OBC students.
Speaking to reporters after attending Republic Day functions, Agnihotri claimed the rules could lead to "atrocities against Brahmins" and trigger significant social unrest. He referenced recent incidents including Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand allegedly being prevented from taking a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam during the Magh Mela in Prayagraj, questioning the local administration's role in these matters.
Alleged Hostage Incident at DM Residence
After leaving the district magistrate's residence, Agnihotri made startling allegations to reporters on Monday. He claimed he had visited Bareilly District Magistrate Avinash Singh at his home where he was allegedly held hostage for 45 minutes.
"I was held hostage at the DM's residence for 45 minutes. A call came to the DM from Lucknow. I was verbally abused, and they said, 'pandit has gone mad (pandit paagal ho gayaa hai). Keep him hostage all night.' I had already informed the media about my situation. I managed to escape from there with great difficulty and save my life at the behest of the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP)," Agnihotri stated.
Administration's Strong Denial
The district administration categorically denied all allegations made by the resigning magistrate. DM Avinash Singh stated that when Agnihotri visited his residence, several senior officials were present including:
- Additional district magistrates
- Sub-divisional magistrates
- Circle officers
- Local Intelligence Unit officials
- The Senior Superintendent of Police
Singh dismissed the claim of illegal detention as "completely baseless" and asserted there was no mistreatment or abusive language during the interaction. When asked about the resignation itself, he declined to comment further on the matter.
Political Reactions and Broader Implications
Political reactions emerged swiftly following the resignation. Bareilly Mayor Dr Umesh Gautam visited Agnihotri's residence in the evening and acknowledged that while there were shortcomings in the UGC regulations that needed addressing, he would comment on the resignation only after speaking directly with the officer.
State Congress president Ajay Rai termed the resignation a serious matter. In a social media post, he alleged that administrative pressure and recent actions against religious leaders reflected a broader threat to constitutional values, faith and freedom of expression under the current government.
Senior Samajwadi Party leader and former Bareilly MP Praveen Singh Aron emphasized that the episode was not about caste or religion but about the dignity of officers and constitutional principles. He stated that pressure or humiliation of officials while performing their duties was completely unacceptable.
Background and Wider Ramifications
Agnihotri, a native of Kanpur Nagar, has previously served as sub-divisional magistrate in Unnao, Balrampur and Lucknow. An alumnus of Banaras Hindu University with degrees in B.Tech and LLB, he has also worked in the United States, bringing diverse experience to his administrative role.
Officials noted that his resignation on Republic Day has raised uncomfortable questions about:
- Governance standards in Uttar Pradesh
- Administrative autonomy and officer protection
- Policy-making processes and their implementation
- The balance between social equity measures and potential unintended consequences
The UGC regulations have drawn criticism from sections of general category students who argue the measures could result in reverse discrimination, creating new tensions within educational institutions. Meanwhile, Brahmin leaders began gathering at the state guest house in Bareilly on Monday afternoon as the issue continued to reverberate across political and administrative circles throughout Uttar Pradesh.
The resignation highlights growing tensions around social policies, administrative independence, and the complex interplay between governance, caste dynamics, and educational reform in contemporary India. As the controversy unfolds, it raises fundamental questions about how policies intended to promote equity are implemented and perceived across different segments of society.
