The BJP today opposed the move to upgrade the Engineering College under Benaras Hindu University (BHU) to that of an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). Initiating a discussion on the amendments to the Institutes of Technology Bill 2011 and the National Institutes of Technology Bill, 2011 in the Rajya Sabha, Mr Chandan Mitra said the name of the BHU has sanctity of its own reflecting the legacy of Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya. He alleged the move will delink the proposed IIT from BHU.

Dr Karan Singh of the Congress favoured the legislative move saying that will provide an added status to the institution. He appealed to the opposition benches to allow the passage of the bill. He said hundreds of students have not taken their degrees and are curiously waiting for the change. The discussion is continuing.