Bareilly: Alankar Agnihotri, the City Magistrate of Bareilly, has resigned from his post, triggering widespread discussion across Uttar Pradesh and beyond. His resignation comes amid ongoing controversies surrounding the Magh Mela, the alleged misbehavior with Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand and his disciples, and the recently introduced University Grants Commission (UGC) rules related to equality in higher education institutions.
In his resignation, Agnihotri described the new UGC regulations as a “black law” and stated that he could not continue in service while, according to him, religious leaders such as Shankaracharya and saints were being insulted. His decision has added a new dimension to the already heated political and social atmosphere in the state.
For several days, Uttar Pradesh has witnessed rising tensions over the Magh Mela. The controversy escalated after reports emerged that Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand and his disciples were allegedly treated discourteously during arrangements related to the holy dip. The administration has faced accusations of misbehavior, which have been strongly denied by officials. Simultaneously, protests and criticism have intensified over the UGC’s new rules, which critics claim are discriminatory against upper-caste students. It is against this backdrop that Agnihotri’s resignation took place on Monday.
Alankar Agnihotri is originally from Kanpur, where his family still resides. His personal journey has been marked by significant hardship. He lost his father at the age of 10 and, as the eldest child, had to shoulder family responsibilities at a very young age. Despite these challenges, he continued his education and career with determination.
Agnihotri completed his schooling up to Class 12 in Kanpur before securing admission to IIT (BHU), Varanasi, from where he earned a B.Tech degree. After completing his engineering education, he chose to work in the private sector rather than immediately pursuing civil services. He spent nearly a decade working as a consultant in an IT company, a period during which he also got married. His wife is Aastha Mishra.
In interviews given earlier, Agnihotri has stated that his years in the private sector helped him achieve financial stability and maturity. After 10 years of professional experience, he decided to prepare for competitive examinations and entered the civil services arena.
Agnihotri cleared the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) examination in 2016, securing the 15th rank. His achievement was seen as an example of perseverance, especially given his non-traditional path into the civil services.
He formally began his administrative career in 2019 as the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Unnao. Over the years, he served in several key administrative roles, including as SDM in Balrampur and Etah. Prior to his posting as City Magistrate in Bareilly, he worked as Assistant Municipal Commissioner in the Lucknow Municipal Corporation.
Agnihotri’s resignation has sparked sharp reactions across political, bureaucratic, and social circles. While some have praised his move as an act of conscience, others have questioned the appropriateness of a serving officer publicly opposing government policies. The state government has not yet issued an official statement detailing the next course of action.
