Andhra Pradesh’s Bible Open University Of India Categorized As Fake University By UGC

The University Grants Commission (UGC) of India has listed Bible Open University India International, Visakhapatnam as a fake university following several complaints about the Christian institution.

In September 2021, the Legal Rights Protection Forum filed a complaint with the University Grants Commission, urging them to impose a ban on the ‘Bible Open University of India’ located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The complaint highlighted that the institution was operating without proper recognition and misleadingly using the term ‘University.’ Moreover, it had been unlawfully awarding Bachelor, Master, and Ph.D. degrees for a considerable period of time. 

The Legal Rights Protection Forum also lodged a complaint with the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) against ‘Bible Open University of India’ Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh for alleged sexual exploitation of minor girls.

The Twitter handle of Legal Rights Protection Forum then shared a video of the university’s founder accusing his son of involving in the sexual harassment of minor girls. However, the video has since been removed from the platform. 

In August 2021, the Legal Rights Protection Forum sent a letter to the Home Ministry, requesting action to be taken against the ‘All India True Christian Council’ and ‘Bible Open University of India,’ represented by PD Sundar Rao and E Santosh Kumar. The complaint accused them of promoting sedition, advocating for the partition of the nation, disrespecting the National Flag and Anthem, and abusing Dr. BR Ambedkar.

 

According to Section 22(1) of the UGC Act, degrees can only be conferred by a University that is established under a Central, State/Provincial Act, or an Institution that is deemed to be a University under section 3 of the UGC Act. Degrees can also be awarded by an Institution that is specifically empowered by an Act of Parliament to grant degrees.

In April 2022, in response to the complaint lodged by the Legal Rights Protection Forum, the University Grants Commission of India issued a warning to Bible Open University India International, Visakhapatnam. The warning was issued because the institution was found to be operating without proper recognition, falsely using the term ‘University’ in its name, and illegally awarding Bachelor, Master, and Ph.D. degrees to students. 

And finally, in 2023, UGC listed the ‘Bible Open University India International’, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh in the Fake Universities Category. 

Source: UGC

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