The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognisance of a complaint against the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) for operating under the name ‘VIT Bhopal University’ despite its campus being located nearly 100 kilometres away in Sehore district. The development follows a formal grievance lodged by the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), alleging that the institution is using the capital city’s name to mislead students and parents from other states.

 

The complaint, filed by NSUI State Vice President Ravi Parmar, highlights that the university is geographically situated in Kothri, Ashta Tehsil of Sehore district. Parmar contended that the use of ‘Bhopal’ in the official title creates a false impression during the online admission process. Many outstation students enroll under the assumption that the campus is located within the capital city, only to face significant logistical hurdles and mental distress upon discovering the actual remote location of the facility. Beyond the naming controversy, the NSUI leadership has raised serious concerns regarding the internal environment of the university.

 

The complaint submitted to the NHRC, the Madhya Pradesh Private University Regulatory Commission, and the State Government points toward a history of student unrest. Parmar noted that past administrative negligence had led to violent incidents on campus, fuelled by grievances over a lack of basic amenities and systemic mismanagement. The student wing also flagged the operation of an allegedly illegal clinic within the campus premises and other regulatory irregularities. Despite previous complaints to local authorities, the organisation claims that no stringent action had been taken until the human rights body intervened.

 

Taking these facts into account, the NHRC has officially registered the case and initiated the process of seeking detailed reports from the concerned parties. Akshay Tomar emphasised that the move would force accountability regarding the university’s marketing practices and administrative standards. The NSUI has placed a three-point demand before the authorities: the immediate removal of the word Bhopal from the university’s name, a high-level probe into alleged administrative irregularities, and the guarantee of a safe, transparent academic environment with improved basic facilities. The organisation has warned of a state-wide agitation if the interests of the students continue to be compromised.