LPU Shuts Classes for 10 Days After Protest Over Unverified Claim Turns Violent

Protests at Lovely Professional University in Punjab's Phagwara over an unverified social media allegation escalated into widespread vandalism and a blockade of National Highway-44, prompting the university to suspend classes for 10 days and tighten security across the campus.

By Monday, the campus was heavily guarded. Students were leaving with suitcases and bags as anxious parents arrived to collect them.

How the unrest began

The protest started near Girls' Hostel-3 around 1 am on Sunday. According to an account given by a student, a message circulating on Reddit claimed that a girl had been raped and had died by suicide two days later. The student said the initial demonstration was peaceful, driven by a demand for answers, before some participants turned to vandalism.

Police had not confirmed any such rape complaint when the protests began, and the allegation remained unverified. As students from other hostels joined, the situation deteriorated.

Damage and blockade

Videos circulating on social media showed hundreds of people on the campus grounds, many masking their faces. One clip showed a person atop an Indian Air Force MiG-23UM aircraft and another group on a military tank installed on campus. Window panes were smashed and some objects were set on fire. Protesters also blocked National Highway-44, the main road linking Jalandhar and Phagwara, outside the university. The blockade lasted more than 15 hours before traffic was restored on Monday.

Dispute over who was involved

Students interviewed after the unrest said they could not establish whether those involved were fellow students or outsiders, noting that many had covered their faces. One student said some of those beating others carried proper iron rods, and that the main intent of those vandalising was to break things and spread violence. Asked whether the protest should have rested on a verified claim, the student said the central issue was justice.

Police are examining CCTV footage and have said they are investigating the possible involvement of people from outside the university.

Police response

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann ordered strict action against those responsible for the violence. Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav visited the campus and reviewed the situation. An FIR has been registered and a high-level Special Investigation Team formed to investigate the case.

On Sunday night, a force led by Additional Director General of Police M F Farooqui entered the campus, and senior officers subsequently conducted a flag march. The DGP said officers had consciously exercised restraint because those protesting were students, and that grievances against the university administration were addressed through discussions.

The university's position

LPU has repeatedly described the allegations as false, baseless and fabricated. Registrar Monica Gulati said on Sunday that anti-social elements were spreading such claims. The university released a video featuring three female students from room 504 of the hostel, one of whom said nothing of the sort had happened in their room and asked that students and police not harass them.

That video became a controversy in itself. The same three students later released their own video alleging they had been told what to say and that their footage was used without consent. One said the video had been trimmed and posted on Instagram without their knowledge, and another asked to be left alone.

Students said they believed the allegation was genuine after messages circulated online and, according to one student, after information was allegedly received from the girls' hostel, which was vacated and its residents sent home.