LPU protest turns violent; throwing stones; vehicles set on fire, classes suspended; the university posted a video | 6 points | Today’s news
Dramatic scenes unfolded at the Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, Punjab, where further violence erupted amid protests by students there. Regular classes were suspended for 10 days starting September 28, and mid-term exams were also postponed.
The latest images from Lovely Professional University showed a heavy police presence in the areas as students began to leave for their homes.
Students of Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara went on a rampage in the campus on Sunday, vandalizing property and blocking a stretch of the New Delhi-Amritsar highway outside their campus.
Police said on Sunday that a case of rape against an unknown person has been registered based on a complaint by students and an SIT has been formed to probe the matter, even as the university termed claims of a crime taking place on campus as “rumours”.
Here’s everything you need to know about the LPU protest
1. Accusations
The protest began near the girls’ hostel-3 on the campus around 1 am on Sunday after some students alleged that a female student staying there was raped by a plumber three days ago, news agency PTI reported.
The students alleged that the girl victim, who was staying in Hostel No. 3, returned to her house after no action was taken in the matter, said DIG Singla, who reached the spot.
They also claimed that the hostel warden was informed about the incident but no action was taken.
2. What the police said
However, police said there was a “rumour” and an investigation was underway.
Police said a case of rape was registered against an unknown person based on a complaint by students and an SIT was formed to probe the matter, though the university authority denied claims of any rape on campus and termed them as “rumours”.
“We will analyze forensic samples, CCTV camera footage, call records etc before coming to a conclusion,” said Jalandhar Police Commissioner Satinder Singh, DIG (Jalandhar Range) Naveen Singla.
Answering a question, the DIG said that the women students were demanding that the entire staff of the hostel should be made up of women only. “Management will look into these requests,” he said.
3. LPU management releases the video
Asked about the students’ allegations of rape, LPU VC Jaspal Singh said the university was not aware of any such incident and added that the authorities would cooperate in the investigation.
In a statement, the LPU management claimed that there was no truth in the “rumours”, with registrar Monica Gulati saying that some anti-social elements were spreading “false, baseless and fabricated” allegations.
The LPU authorities alleged that certain anti-social elements were creating unnecessary confusion among the students to disturb the peaceful academic environment of the university.
LPU also released a video statement of three female students of the hostel room no 504 claiming that no rape took place, saying they had been staying there for the past two months.
“The false narrative ends here. No speculation. No hearsay. Hear the truth straight from the students who were there. This video is posted with the express consent of the featured students,” read a caption posted by LPU along with the video.
4. There is violence
In videos on social media, some alleged protesters, their faces covered with handkerchiefs, were seen vandalizing shops in the university mall and other properties on campus, while several others were seen carrying away some items from a grocery store.
Fresh violence erupted on Sunday evening after protesting students pelted stones at police personnel and attacked their vehicles, leaving several policemen injured, PTI officials said.
The situation worsened around 7:30 pm when the police tried to dislodge the protesters, who had blocked the Delhi-Amritsar National Highway (NH)-44 from outside the campus since 8:00 am, when some students threw water bottles at them.
They also clashed with the police who resorted to lathi charge, prompting the students to run towards the campus, PTI reported. Angry students pelted stones and attacked police vehicles on the highway, injuring several personnel, officials said, adding that protesters also set several vehicles on fire.
A large squad led by ADGP MF Farooqui later entered the LPU campus and police said the situation is now under control.
Traffic on National Highway-44 in Punjab’s Phagwara has been restored after more than 15 hours of blockade. Traffic on the national highway resumed on the night of Sunday to Monday, Jalandhar Police Commissioner Satinder Singh said, adding that the situation was calm.
5. Five arrested
Addressing the protesting students at LPU, 27th Battalion Commander Gurmeet Kaur said, “We have arrested five youths. A ‘datar’ (sickle-shaped weapon) and a walkie-talkie have been recovered from them. Now they will be questioned… investigation is on.”
Meanwhile, Punjab Police conducted a flag march at Lovely Professional University (LPU) on Sunday. ADGP Fayaz Farooqui talking to reporters about the students staging protest at LPU said that currently over 2000 personnel are deployed to ensure security in the campus throughout the night.
“We will provide security in the campus throughout the night… At present, a force of over 2,000 personnel has been deployed here. Law and order has been fully maintained and restored… The process is on and we are working to bring the situation under control. I cannot give more details at this time,” said ADGP Fayaz Farooqui.
“To the families whose daughters are staying here in the hostel: please don’t worry, everyone is safe… The atmosphere here is completely calm and the university students are also working with us to restore peace…,” Farooqui said.
6. Lessons interrupted, exams postponed
Due to the unrest, students started going home as Lovely Professional University (LPU) suspended regular classes for 10 days from September 28 and postponed mid-term examinations until further notice.
“Regular classes will remain suspended for 10 days with effect from September 28, 2026 (Monday). Mid-semester exams are postponed until further notice. Revised exam schedule will be communicated separately through UMS,” LPU said.
“Students may travel to their hometowns during this 10-day period, if they wish, in consultation with their parents/guardians. Students staying back are advised to stay in their hostels/residences and avoid unnecessary movement or involvement in any disturbances for their own safety,” the university further said, according to ANI.
Students staying back have been advised to remain in their hostels/residences and avoid unnecessary movement or involvement in any disturbance for their own safety.
