Bareilly Magistrate Labels UGC Equity Regulations 'Black Law', Resigns in Fury, Gets Suspended! Updates Here

Lucknow/Bareilly- In a bold act of defiance that has rocked Uttar Pradesh's bureaucracy, Bareilly City Magistrate Alankar Agnihotri, a top-ranking PCS officer, resigned on Republic Day, slamming the Centre's freshly notified UGC Regulations 2026 as a "black law" designed to undermine academic freedom and target Brahmin educators.

Hours later, the Yogi Adityanath government hit back with swift suspension for "indiscipline," sparking a nationwide debate on free speech vs. service loyalty.

The controversy erupted over the University Grants Commission (UGC)'s Equity Regulations 2026, rolled out last week to enforce stricter diversity quotas and "social justice" norms in higher education. Critics like Agnihotri argue the rules mandating 50% reservation in faculty hires and curriculum audits for "caste bias" – are a direct assault on meritocracy, especially in Sanskrit and Vedic studies departments.

"This is a black law that will destroy the academic atmosphere in colleges, disproportionately harming Brahmin scholars," Agnihotri thundered in his resignation letter and media interactions on January 26. He linked it to a broader "anti-Brahmin campaign" in UP, citing alleged suppression of traditional knowledge systems.

The regulations, notified on January 20, aim to boost equity but have drawn fire from academics and right-wing groups for potentially sidelining "upper caste" expertise in humanities. Agnihotri's outburst wasn't isolated, it's part of a growing row, with over 200 petitions filed in courts challenging the rules as "unconstitutional."

The Dramatic Timeline: From Republic Day Bombshell to Suspension Shock

Jan 26 Morning - Agnihotri skips official duties and files his resignation at Lucknow's Nirman Bhawan. Speaking to reporters, he calls the UGC rules "a tool for atrocities against Brahmins," tying it to recent incidents like the Prayagraj Magh Mela clashes involving Shankaracharya disciples though his primary fire is reserved for the "anti-merit" policy.

Post-resignation, Agnihotri vanishes for nearly 10 hours, later alleging he was "held hostage for 2 hours" at the Bareilly DM's residence by officials pressuring him to withdraw. Rumors swirl of a manhunt, but he resurfaces via video, vowing, "My conscience won't let me serve under such laws.

Dharna outside DM office

On Monday evening, Agnihotri told the media, "About an hour ago, District Magistrate Avinash Singh called me for talks. I went there, and the Bar Association secretary, Deepak Pandey, was also with me, but he was asked to wait outside while I sat alone with the DM and other officials. During this time, I was repeatedly offered inducements and told to take leave and relax... Meanwhile, the DM received a call from Lucknow, which was put on speaker. A voice on the call said, ‘This Pandit has gone mad, do not let him go.’ I managed to escape from there with great difficulty and save my life..."

By 11 PM, UP's Appointment Section-7 issues Order No. 90/Do-7-2026: Immediate suspension under Rule 4 of UP Government Servants (Discipline & Appeal) Rules 1999 for "prima facie indiscipline." He's attached to Shamli DM's office, with Bareilly Divisional Commissioner as probe officer to issue a charge-sheet.

On Tuesday when Agnihotri tried to meet the DM, he was allegedly not allowed to enter inside. Defiant as ever, Agnihotri told media today: "I've already resigned; this suspension changes nothing. It's proof the system fears truth." He's demanded a PM-led SIT probe into UGC's "casteist agenda" and garnered support from Brahmin outfits across six states, plus a nod from Jyotirmath Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand: "Your stand protects Sanatan's soul." On Tuesday noon, Alankar Agnihotri sat on a dharna outside the office of District Magistrate Avinash Singh after he was not allowed to meet the collector.