Bareilly City Magistrate Resigns Over Swami Avimukteshwaranand, UGC Row

Bareilly :  In a dramatic development on Republic Day, Bareilly City Magistrate Alankar Agnihotri resigned from his post, expressing serious concerns over the treatment of revered saints and alleged discrimination against upper-caste communities under the newly proposed University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations.

“Resignation Based on Conscience and Self-Respect,” Says Agnihotri

Submitting his resignation to the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Agnihotri clarified that his decision was not driven by any personal or professional interest. He stated that the move was guided by his self-respect, conscience, and sense of responsibility towards society.

He said continuing in office under the current circumstances would amount to a compromise of his moral values.

Condemnation of Prayagraj Magh Mela Incident

In his resignation letter, Agnihotri strongly condemned the incident at the Prayagraj Magh Mela, where disciples of Jyotish Peeth Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati were allegedly assaulted while protesting for entry to the Sangam for the holy bath on Mauni Amavasya.

He alleged that the disciples were beaten and dragged by their hair, calling the incident a grave insult to saints and the Brahmin community. He questioned whether the administration’s silence amounted to tacit approval of such actions.

Strong Objection to New UGC Regulations

Agnihotri linked the incident to broader concerns over the UGC Regulations on Promoting Equity in Higher Education Institutions, 2026.

H3: Allegations of Discrimination Against General Category Students

He claimed that certain provisions—particularly Articles 2, 5, 6, and 7—are discriminatory and exploitative towards students from the general category, including Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Kayastha, and Bhumihar communities.

Comparing these regulations to the Rowlatt Act of 1919, Agnihotri alleged that the provisions could be misused to harass upper-caste youth through conspiracies and false cases.

Serious Allegations Against District Administration

Addressing a press conference, Agnihotri also levelled serious allegations against the district administration. He claimed that District Magistrate Avinash Singh had called him for talks, during which the Superintendent of Police was also summoned.

Agnihotri alleged that he was pressured to proceed on leave and was offered inducements so that his resignation could be portrayed as being influenced by administrative pressure or linked to SIR.

He further claimed that an attempt was made to detain him against his will, though he managed to leave the premises.

“My Life Is in Danger,” Appeals to President and Governor

Through the media, Agnihotri appealed to the President of India and the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, stating that his resignation was voluntary. He alleged that efforts were being made to declare him mentally unstable and to divert the narrative surrounding his resignation.

He said he has been forced to vacate his official residence due to a perceived threat to his life and termed the alleged attempt to detain him as a direct assault on democratic values.