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.
Lodged complaint with University Grants Commission @ugc_india seeking ban on 'Bible Open University of India', Visakhapatnam, AP functioning without recognition and using the word ‘University’ and has been awarding Bachelor/Master & Ph.D Degrees for several years. (1/1). https://t.co/VZz6yR7RrN pic.twitter.com/eMG9ZQylF0
— Legal Rights Protection Forum (@lawinforce) September 1, 2021
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.
Lodged complaint with @NCPCR_ against ‘Bible Open University of India’ Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh for Sexual Exploitation of Minor Girls.
Below is the link to the video of BOUI's founder accusing his son of involving sexual harassment of minor girls. https://t.co/y924VPrc3H https://t.co/vbTUMIE4H3 pic.twitter.com/YfwvSScB09
— Legal Rights Protection Forum (@lawinforce) September 1, 2021
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.
Wrote to @HMOIndia seeking action against 'All India True Christian Council' & 'Bible Open University of India', represented by PD Sundar Rao, E Santosh Kumar for Promoting sedition, calling for partition of Nation, insulting National Flag/Anthem & abuse of Dr BR Ambedkar. pic.twitter.com/lnwupqmHkv
— Legal Rights Protection Forum (@lawinforce) August 31, 2021
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.
Following our complaint, University Grants Commission of India issued warning to Bible Open University India International, Visakhapatnam for functioning without recognition, using word 'University' in its name & has been awarding Bachelor/Master & PhD Degrees to students (1/2) https://t.co/D6aEvlUBd6 pic.twitter.com/ijlpu6lBwj
— Legal Rights Protection Forum (@lawinforce) April 20, 2022
And finally, in 2023, UGC listed the ‘Bible Open University India International’, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh in the Fake Universities Category.
Following our complaint, finally the University Grants Commission of India listed the 'Bible Open University India International', Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh in the Fake Universities Category.
UGC Official Site 👇https://t.co/M5DmGQgUfo https://t.co/eDxmE5CUhF
— Legal Rights Protection Forum (@lawinforce) August 3, 2023
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