LPU Violence: Classes suspended for 10 days as probe continues, political row intensifies

Babushahi Bureau

Phagwara/Amritsar, September 28, 2026: A day after violent protests at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara over unverified allegations concerning the sexual assault of a female student, the campus remained under heavy security on Monday, with classes suspended for 10 days, mid-term examinations postponed and police intensifying the investigation into the violence.

The unrest, which began after claims circulated on social media about an alleged sexual assault involving a female student and an outsider, escalated into clashes between protesters and police, damage to property, arson and a blockade of National Highway-44.

The allegations have not been established. LPU has denied that the alleged sexual assault took place on its campus, while police have registered an FIR and constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the matter.

LPU suspends classes, postpones exams

LPU announced that regular classes would remain suspended for 10 days from September 28, while mid-term examinations were postponed until further notice.

The university said students could travel to their hometowns during the suspension period in consultation with their parents or guardians. Those remaining on campus were advised to stay inside their hostels or places of residence and avoid unnecessary movement or participation in activities linked to the unrest.

Students began leaving the campus on Monday, while security personnel remained deployed across academic and hostel blocks. Traffic on NH-44, which had been affected by the protests, was restored.

Police probe violence, DGP appeals against rumours

Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav visited Phagwara on Monday to review the security situation.

Police said the investigation into the violence would examine available CCTV footage, videos and other technical evidence to identify those responsible. Yadav said legal action would be taken against anyone found involved after due investigation.

The DGP also appealed to people not to circulate unverified videos, audio clips or misleading material on social media and urged the public to rely on verified information.

According to police, efforts were also made throughout Sunday to facilitate dialogue between students and university authorities. The police said directions had been issued to exercise restraint while dealing with students.

Questions over alleged assault remain under investigation

The protests were triggered by social media claims that a female student had allegedly been sexually assaulted by an outsider on campus. Police have registered an FIR against an unknown person and formed a seven-member SIT, with the investigation examining the allegations.

LPU has rejected the allegation and described the reports as false and unverified. Separately, three female students whose video was released by the university have said that the video was posted without their consent and alleged that it had been cropped or that they were told what to say. The claims surrounding the video are also part of the developing controversy.

Punjab Women’s Commission seeks reports

The Punjab State Commission for Women has taken suo motu cognisance of the LPU incident and sought detailed reports from the Kapurthala administration.

The Commission has asked for the FIR, details of the SIT and the status of the investigation, besides information on security arrangements at women’s hostels, including CCTV surveillance, deployment of security personnel and monitoring of entry and exit points.

It has also directed authorities to ensure the privacy and safety of the student complainant during the investigation and sought details of action taken over the protests, clashes and reported damage to property. The Commission has asked for an action-taken report by September 30.

The Commission has also taken suo motu cognisance of a separate controversy at Chitkara University, Rajpura, and sought information from Patiala district authorities regarding reports circulating on social media about female students allegedly being missing or facing untoward incidents.

Sukhbir Badal blames AAP for LPU violence

Amid the continuing investigation, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal alleged that the LPU violence was the result of an AAP “mischief” and called for an independent probe.

Addressing a political conference at Rajasansi as part of the SAD’s Punjab Bachao campaign, Badal alleged that the violence was aimed at LPU Chancellor and Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Kumar Mittal.

He claimed that an independent investigation would establish the involvement of the AAP government and alleged that the incident was intended to target Mittal after his political shift from AAP to the BJP.

Badal also criticised the police response to the protests and alleged excessive use of force against students.

Earlier on Monday, Badal had also alleged that outsiders carrying weapons and walkie-talkies had been present on the LPU campus during the unrest and described the incident as part of a “larger conspiracy”. Those allegations are separate from the police investigation and have not been established as fact.

‘Only Punjabis’ for Punjab government jobs: Badal

At the Rajasansi conference, Badal announced a series of measures he said would be implemented if the SAD formed the next government in Punjab.

He said only Punjabis would be considered for government jobs in the state, and announced that around three lakh vacant government posts would be filled.

He also said the SAD would seek to require industries in Punjab to employ 75 per cent Punjabis.

Badal said the party would withdraw what he described as the AAP government’s policy of allowing outsiders to compete for government recruitment in Punjab.

Crop insurance for all farmers

Badal also announced that all farmers would be covered under crop insurance under a future SAD government.

He said the proposed arrangement would provide compensation in cases of crop failure and natural calamities. He alleged that farmers had suffered losses from floods and hailstorms in recent years and criticised the AAP government over compensation for crop damage.

He further announced that farmers cultivating land in Punjab’s border belt without registered ownership would be given ownership rights under an SAD government.

Attack on Waris Punjab De

Badal also launched an attack on Waris Punjab De, referring to the organisation as “Kaum de Gaddar” and alleging that it was being used to divide the Panthic vote.

He levelled several allegations against the organisation’s leadership and its political links, including claims that it was aligned with the AAP and that it was being funded by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

These allegations were made by Badal during his political address and were not independently established in the material released by the SAD.

Vir Singh Lopoke named SAD candidate from Rajasansi

During the conference, Badal announced senior SAD leader Vir Singh Lopoke as the party’s candidate from the Rajasansi Assembly constituency for the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections.

Lopoke has previously contested the Rajasansi seat for the SAD, including in the 2022 Assembly election.

The conference was also attended by senior SAD leaders, including Bikram Singh Majithia, Gulzar Singh Ranike, Ranbir Singh Rana Lopoke, Raja Ladeh and Surjit Singh Pehalwan.

The LPU investigation, meanwhile, remains ongoing, with authorities focusing on establishing the facts behind the allegations that triggered the protests as well as identifying those responsible for the subsequent violence and property damage.