LPU protests explained: What triggered the unrest at Lovely Professional University

Student protests at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, Punjab, escalated into violence over the weekend after allegations of sexual assault involving a female student spread on campus and social media.

The university has denied that the alleged assault took place, while police have registered a rape case against an unidentified person and formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to establish what happened.

The unrest has since led to clashes between protesters and police, damage to university property, a prolonged blockade of National Highway-44 and a major security deployment around the campus. LPU has suspended regular classes for 10 days from September 28 and postponed its mid-term examinations until further notice.

What triggered the LPU protests?

The immediate trigger was an allegation circulated among students that a female student living in Girls' Hostel-3 had been sexually assaulted by an outsider. Students also raised allegations that the hostel authorities had been informed about the incident but had failed to act.

The allegation has not been established. Police have registered an FIR against an unidentified person and formed an SIT to investigate the claim. Investigators are examining forensic material, CCTV footage and call records as part of the probe.

LPU, meanwhile, has rejected the allegation and described the reports circulating about the incident as false and fabricated. The university has said it is cooperating with the investigation.

Why did the protest turn violent?

The protest began near the girls' hostel and subsequently spread across the campus. As tensions escalated, university property was damaged and parts of the campus were vandalised.

Protesters later blocked a stretch of NH-44, the Delhi-Amritsar national highway, causing significant disruption to traffic. The blockade continued for more than 15 hours before traffic movement was restored.

The situation escalated further when protesters and police clashed. Police said stones were thrown at personnel and vehicles, while police used a lathi charge as they attempted to clear the highway. Two police vehicles were reportedly set on fire and several police personnel were injured.

Separate student-death case

During the protests, students also raised the death of a 21-year-old LPU student from Telangana.

The student, identified as Laxmi Chandra, a BTech Agriculture student, died on Sep 10 after reportedly falling from the seventh floor of a girls' hostel.

Police have been investigating the circumstances surrounding her death, and the available reporting does not establish a connection between her death and the sexual-assault allegation that triggered the latest protests.

What are students demanding?

Students have raised concerns about security inside the women's hostels and the presence of outsiders on campus.

Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav said on Monday that some of the students' grievances related to the university administration and that discussions had been held to address them. He also said police were examining the possible presence of outsiders during the unrest.

Police have reported finding walkie-talkies on the campus and are examining whether outsiders were involved in the violence. The circumstances surrounding their presence are part of the investigation and should not be treated as proof of involvement in the unrest.

An SIT has been constituted to investigate the alleged sexual assault. Police are examining available evidence, including CCTV footage, forensic material and call records.

More than 2,000 police personnel have also been deployed around the university following the violence. The police have said they used restraint while dealing with the student protest but that those involved in vandalism and violence would face action based on the evidence collected.

Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav visited LPU on Monday to assess the situation and security arrangements. Police have also conducted a flag march on and around the campus.

LPU's response

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 return to their hometowns during the 10-day period after consulting their parents or guardians. Those who remain on campus have been advised to stay inside their hostels or places of residence, avoid unnecessary movement and stay away from activities connected with the unrest.

Police said on Sep 28 that the situation on campus had returned to normal, with heavy security continuing around the university. NH-44 has also reopened after the prolonged blockade.

The central issue whether the alleged sexual assault actually occurred remains under investigation. The police FIR records the allegation, but an FIR by itself does not establish that the offence occurred. LPU has denied the allegation, while investigators are examining evidence before reaching a conclusion.