![‘Possibly [be] needed in 90-120 days’: Why is the US checking Cuba readiness?](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fd243y9xj05uh4.cloudfront.net%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fbengalinsight%2F2026%2F09%2F28034806%2FHTO03ZcXgAEX35j.webp&w=3840&q=75)
Violent protests at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, Punjab, escalated into vandalism, arson, clashes with police and a blockade of NH-44 after students raised allegations of sexual assault involving a female student and questions over the death of another student.
The allegations surrounding the reported sexual assault have not been established. Police have registered a rape case against an unidentified person and formed a seven-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the matter. LPU, meanwhile, has denied that a rape took place on campus and described the reports as false and fabricated.
Also Read | 4 injured as chutney dispute sparks street brawl in Hapur market
The unrest began around the girls’ hostel early Sunday and later spread across the campus and the adjoining highway. Police said the situation returned to normal by Monday, while NH-44, which had remained blocked for more than 15 hours, was restored.
What triggered the LPU protest?
The immediate trigger was a series of claims circulating among students and on social media that a female student had allegedly been sexually assaulted by a construction worker or plumber at a girls’ hostel.
Students also alleged that the hostel warden had been informed but had not taken the matter to the police. These claims formed the basis of a complaint by protesting students, according to police.
Jalandhar Range DIG Naveen Singla said investigators would examine forensic evidence, CCTV footage and call records before reaching a conclusion. Police subsequently registered a case against an unknown person and constituted a seven-member SIT. Five representatives of the protesting students were also included in the probe, according to Singla.
The police investigation is therefore still ongoing, and the allegation should not be treated as established fact.
How did the Telangana student’s death become part of the protests?
Students also raised the case of 21-year-old Laxmi Chandra, a BTech Agriculture student from Telangana, who died after allegedly jumping from the seventh floor of a girls’ hostel on September 10.
Police said the circumstances surrounding her death were being investigated. Singla said Laxmi’s parents had visited the university and that her mobile phone had been sent for forensic examination.
Police have said that if evidence suggests foul play, appropriate action will follow. The available material does not establish a connection between her death and the separate sexual assault allegation.
What did LPU say about the rape allegation?
LPU has denied that a rape occurred on its campus and described the reports circulating on social media as “false”, “baseless” and “fabricated”.
Registrar Monica Gulati said certain people were spreading allegations through social media and creating confusion among students. Vice-Chancellor Jaspal Singh Sandhu said the university would cooperate with the investigation.
LPU also released a video featuring three female students who said they were staying in the hostel room identified in the allegations and denied that a rape had taken place there.
How did the LPU protest turn violent?
The protest began near the girls’ hostel around 1 am on Sunday before escalating as the number of protesters grew.
Protesters damaged administrative buildings and other campus property, while videos showed broken windows, burning objects and damage to shops. Some protesters also climbed onto a decommissioned MiG-23 aircraft and a military tank installed on the campus.
The protesters later blocked NH-44, disrupting traffic between Jalandhar and Phagwara for more than 15 hours.
The confrontation with police intensified on Sunday evening. Police said protesters threw stones at personnel and attacked police vehicles, after which a lathi charge was carried out. Several police personnel were injured, while vehicles were damaged and some were set on fire.
Punjab Police subsequently deployed more than 2,000 personnel and conducted a flag march on the campus, according to officials cited in the source material.
What were students demanding?
Apart from the sexual assault allegation, students raised concerns about hostel safety and security.
Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav said one of the demands was that only women staff should be present in girls’ hostels. DIG Singla also said female students had sought an all-women hostel staff.
Authorities said discussions were held with students and the university administration to address these concerns.
Police have also said they found indications that outsiders may have entered the campus during the unrest. Kapurthala SSP Gaurav Toora said four or five people were detained late Saturday night, including one person carrying a walkie-talkie. Police said they were investigating the circumstances of their presence.
What is the situation at LPU now?
By Monday, police said the situation on campus had returned to normal, with heavy deployment at the university gates. NH-44 was also reopened.
Also Read | 3-day bank strike deferred as panel takes up 5-day week demand
LPU has suspended regular classes for 10 days from September 28 and postponed its mid-term examinations until further notice. Students have been allowed to travel home in consultation with their parents or guardians, while those staying on campus have been advised to remain inside their hostels or residences and avoid unnecessary movement.
Police said the investigation into the sexual assault allegation remains underway. The SIT is expected to examine CCTV footage, forensic material, call records and other evidence before drawing conclusions.