Chitkara University suspends classes amid protests over unverified student death claims

Chitkara University in Patiala has suspended academic activities until Oct 1 after student protests erupted over unverified claims about the alleged deaths of two female students and rumors involving a “ghost” on campus.

According to an official university notice, Sept 28 to Oct 1, 2026, will be observed as “Non-Teaching Working Days.” The university attributed the decision to administrative reasons following the unrest on campus.

Faculty and staff members have been instructed to continue reporting to the university and perform their administrative duties during the period. Academic activities are scheduled to resume on Oct 5, after the Oct 2 national holiday and the Oct 3 and 4 weekend.

The protests began after claims circulated among students and on social media that two female students had allegedly died by suicide on the university campus.

The claims reportedly emerged after students said they heard screams on the night of Sept 24 and saw two ambulances near the girls' hostel.

Messages and social media posts later alleged that two students were missing or had died, while also claiming that the university administration was attempting to conceal what had happened.

The claims have not been confirmed by police or the university.

Police, university reject student death claims

Patiala police said there was no confirmed information about two female students dying by suicide at the university. Police officials also said students who raised concerns about allegedly missing students could not provide their names or other identifying information.

Authorities are examining the claims and reviewing available CCTV footage as part of the inquiry.

The university has also provided an explanation for the ambulances seen near the girls' hostel. According to the administration, the vehicles were connected to a student who was returning from a hospital and were not responding to a death or suicide on campus.

Authorities are also investigating how the claims originated and spread among students and across social media platforms.

Protests escalate on campus

A large group of students gathered at the university on Sept 25 after the claims circulated, seeking an explanation from the administration. The situation later escalated, with reports of clashes involving students and police.

Campus property was damaged during the unrest, and a police vehicle was also reportedly attacked.

The authorities are examining the events surrounding the protest, including the circulation of the unverified claims and the subsequent damage to university and police property.

The university's temporary suspension of academic activities covers four days from Sept 28 through Oct 1. Faculty and staff will continue their administrative work during this period.

With Oct 2 being a national holiday and Oct 3 and 4 falling on the weekend, regular academic activities are expected to resume at Chitkara University on Oct 5.