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Protest against UGC rules intensifies, City Magistrate on strike in Bareilly!

Samira Vishwas | January 28, 2026 9:27 AM CST

The new rules of the University Grants Commission (UGC), brought in the name of ‘equality’ in higher education, are now becoming the cause of political explosion. As soon as the ‘Equality in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026’ came into force, disagreements within the ruling party have come to the fore. This seems to be a challenge for BJP. There are protests in many places regarding this.

In this series, the case of Alankar Agnihotri, who resigned from the post of City Magistrate in Bareilly, is gaining momentum. Angered by the action of suspension after his resignation, Agnihotri has now openly come out into the field and sat on a dharna in protest against the suspension.

Protests against the new UGC rules took place at many places in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday, which intensified on Monday. The special thing is that on this issue, voices of protest have started being raised within the Bharatiya Janata Party itself. Some leaders have increased the political stir by resigning from their posts in protest against the new regulations.

The main gate of the City Magistrate residence located in Bareilly’s ADM Compound has been completely closed by the police. Policemen on duty say that this action has been taken under instructions received from higher level.

After the gate was closed, supporters of City Magistrate Alankar Agnihotri were appealed to reach Damodar Park, after which people started gathering there. 2019 batch PCS officer Alankar Agnihotri, who resigned from the post of City Magistrate of Bareilly, has now opened a front against the government and administration.

While submitting his resignation on Monday, he had cited insult to Shankaracharya and opposition to the UGC law as the reason for this. The matter became more heated after meeting the District Magistrate at night, when Agnihotri accused the district administration of holding him hostage. However, the District Magistrate rejected these allegations outright. Late night the government suspended Alankar Agnihotri.

Responding to the action of suspension, Agnihotri has made it clear that he will approach the court against it. Heavy police force has been deployed outside his residence since Tuesday morning, due to which there is an atmosphere of tension in the entire area.

On the other hand, Mandal President of BJP Kisan Morcha Shyam Sundar Tripathi resigned from his post in protest against the UGC law. He has sent this resignation addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Tripathi says that this law will work to divide the society instead of uniting it and its long-term consequences can prove fatal.

Similarly, BJP General Secretary Ankit Tiwari, associated with Kumharwan Mandal of Bakshi Talab area, has also distanced himself from the party. He said in clear words that the new provisions of UGC have posed a threat to the educational future of children of a large section of the society. Ankit Tiwari has announced his resignation from all his organizational responsibilities.

Protests were also seen in Sangam Nagari against the UGC law. Hundreds of people took to the streets with posters and banners in their hands and demanded the government to withdraw the law. The protesters said that this bill will create imbalance in the education system and the society will not accept it.

According to the new provisions of UGC, no person will be treated differently in higher education institutions on the basis of his social identity, gender, place of origin or physical condition. It has been made clear in the rules that it will be the responsibility of the institutions to provide equal opportunities, protection and respect to the students and employees coming from deprived and weaker sections, so as to ensure effective protection of their rights.