LPU campus turmoil escalates, university halts classes and postpones mid-term exams

Lovely Professional University (LPU) has postponed its mid-term examinations until further notice and suspended regular classes for 10 days from Sept 28 amid violent student protests in Punjab’s Phagwara over unverified allegations concerning the alleged sexual assault of a female student.

"Regular classes will remain suspended for a period of 10 days with effect from 28th Sept. 2026 (Monday). Mid-Term Examinations are postponed until further notice. The revised examination schedule will be communicated separately via UMS," LPU said in a statement.

The university also advised students to remain cautious during the period of suspension. Those who wish to travel to their hometowns may do so after consulting their parents or guardians, while students staying on campus were asked to remain inside their hostels or residences, avoid unnecessary movement and stay away from any unrest.

"Students may, in consultation with their parents/guardians, travel to their hometowns during this 10-day period, if they wish to do so. Students who stay back are advised to stay inside their hostels/places of residence and avoid unnecessary movement or involvement in any unrest activities in the interest of their own safety," the university stated.

The decision followed two days of protests that escalated into clashes between students and police, damage to university property, fires and a prolonged blockade of National Highway-44 outside the campus.

The unrest began in the early hours of Sept 27 after claims spread through social media and student groups that a female student living in one of the university hostels had allegedly been sexually assaulted on campus. Further claims circulated that the student had subsequently been sent home and later died by suicide.

Police have not confirmed that the alleged sexual assault took place. Authorities said they are investigating the claims and have registered an FIR against unidentified persons based on information and statements provided by protesting students.

According to police, the students alleged that an outsider working at the university had sexually assaulted a female student around three days before the protests. Different accounts circulated among protesters regarding the alleged accused, with some identifying the person as a construction worker or plumber.

The allegations quickly spread among students, prompting hundreds of them to gather near the university’s main gate at around 2 am on Sept 27. Students later moved onto NH-44, which runs between Jalandhar and Phagwara, and blocked traffic while demanding action and an investigation into the claims.

Punjab Police reached the university after receiving information that students had gathered on campus and blocked the highway. A heavy police deployment was subsequently made around the university as the protest continued.

Kapurthala SSP Gaurav Toora said police had not received information about such a crime before the protests.

"We got to know last night that students had blocked the Jalandhar highway. We went there and controlled the situation. We got to know then that the students flagged some issues with the LPU administration and that there were rumours of a case. Nothing about such a crime was reported to us," he said.

Toora said police had spoken with student groups and would facilitate discussions between students and the university administration.

"Seems like there is a misunderstanding between the university and students. We will try to conduct a meeting between them," he said, adding that an assessment of the property damage was underway and that legal action would follow.

Despite the registration of an FIR, students continued to block the highway and protest on and around the university campus.

Their demands included stronger security arrangements in girls’ hostels, greater accountability of hostel officials, restrictions on male workers entering areas occupied by female students and action against anyone found responsible if negligence was established.

Some protesters also demanded that LPU Founder-Chancellor and Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal personally address them and provide assurances regarding campus security and the investigation.

The protest became increasingly tense as the day progressed. According to police and reports from the campus, some protesters damaged university buildings, window panes, flower pots, security kiosks, attendance counters and other property. Vehicles were also damaged, while several objects were set on fire.

Police vehicles were among those targeted during the violence. Jalandhar Rural SSP Harvinder Singh Virk said four to five police vehicles were damaged.

The police subsequently used a lathi charge after stones and bricks were allegedly thrown at security personnel. Injuries to both police personnel and students were reported during the clashes.

The highway blockade also caused extensive traffic disruption. Police later cleared NH-44 and restored traffic after additional forces were deployed. The situation was brought under control at around 11 pm on Sept 27, after which police secured the university gates and conducted checks inside the campus and hostel areas.

The university has strongly denied the allegations circulating on social media. LPU described the claims as "false, baseless and fabricated" and said misleading information was being circulated to create confusion among students and disrupt the academic environment.

“The manner in which such false and misleading information is being systematically circulated appears to be a deliberate and concerted attempt to malign the reputation of the University and tarnish its image,” the university said.

LPU also urged students, parents and members of the public not to circulate or amplify unverified information and asked them to rely on the university’s official communication for updates.

"The rumours circulating on social media are false and misleading and circulated by mischievous sources. You are advised not to participate in any unrest, to remain safely inside your hostel/room/residence, and to avoid involvement in any provocative or disruptive activities. Kindly cooperate in maintaining a calm and orderly campus environment," the university said.

As part of its response to the allegations, LPU released a video featuring three female students from Room No. 504 of Girls’ Hostel 3, which had been identified in social media claims as the location of the alleged incident.

Registrar Dr Monika Gulati introduced the students in the video and said they had denied that an incident of sexual assault had taken place in their room. The university subsequently used the video while maintaining that the allegations being circulated online were false.

A separate video later emerged in which the same students alleged that the university administration had instructed them about what to say and that portions of their earlier statements were used without their consent. The conflicting accounts have become another issue surrounding the university’s handling of the allegations.

The police investigation is being led through a Special Investigation Team constituted after the FIR was registered. The SIT includes SP (Phagwara) Major Singh, DSP Palwinder Singh, a woman police inspector and student representatives.

Jalandhar Range DIG Naveen Singla said the investigation would examine evidence from multiple sources, including CCTV footage and digital data.

“The FIR has been registered on charges of rape against the unidentified suspect. The matter will be investigated scientifically, and forensic, CCTV and phone data will be examined. We have asked students’ representatives to be part of our investigation. We will unearth the truth.”

Police said CCTV footage from the relevant hostel area was being examined along with statements from students who were present in or around the location referred to in the allegations.

LPU Vice Chancellor Jaspal Singh Sandhu said the university would cooperate with the investigation and provide the police with the available material.

“The police have registered an FIR and the university is fully cooperating with the investigation. So far, no such incident has come to my notice. We will provide all CCTV footage, anything the police want. The SIT that has been constituted also has student representatives as its members.”

The police have also begun examining the circumstances surrounding the death of another LPU woman student from Telangana who allegedly died by suicide around 15 days before the protests. Officials said the case is being examined separately.

DIG Naveen Singla said the student’s mobile phone had been seized and sent for forensic examination.

“In that incident, the student’s mobile phone was seized and has been sent for forensic examination. If any foul play comes to fore, required legal action shall be taken,” he said.

The LPU protests also came less than a day after unrest at Chitkara University in Patiala, where students had gathered over separate claims concerning the alleged deaths of two female students. Police subsequently said their initial investigation did not substantiate those allegations.

“We investigated the matter and the allegations did not hold up, no such students were found who died by suicide. The students are also satisfied now,” Senior Superintendent of Police Harmandeep Singh Hans told The Hindu.

Punjab Police is examining the circumstances behind the incidents at both universities and whether there is any connection between them. Special DGP (Law and Order) Parveen Kumar Sinha said investigators were looking into the reasons for the sudden unrest at the two campuses.

At LPU, however, the immediate focus remains on restoring normal academic and campus operations while the investigation into the allegations continues.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sept 28 directed Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav to visit Lovely Professional University and personally assess the situation. The DGP was also asked to ensure that the allegations were investigated thoroughly.

The state government has directed police to maintain law and order while ensuring that the claims surrounding the alleged assault are examined on the basis of evidence.

The university administration has meanwhile announced a 10-day suspension of regular classes beginning Sept 28. Students who remain on campus have been advised to stay inside their hostels or residences and avoid unnecessary movement.

The mid-term examinations, which were scheduled during this period, have been postponed indefinitely. LPU said students would receive the revised examination schedule separately through the University Management System.

The university’s academic schedule has therefore been disrupted as authorities continue efforts to restore normalcy on campus and police investigate the allegations that triggered the protests.