What Sparked the Protests at Lovely Professional University? A Deep Dive into the Chaos

Restoration of Traffic After Protests in Phagwara

In Phagwara, Punjab, the National Highway-44 has reopened after being blocked for over 15 hours due to protests by students from Lovely Professional University (LPU). Authorities confirmed that the situation is now under control.

Punjab's Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has instructed DGP Gaurav Yadav to assess the situation at the university, as reported by official sources.

The unrest began when LPU students allegedly vandalized property and obstructed the New Delhi-Amritsar highway, claiming that an outsider had assaulted a female student on campus.

BJP leader and former Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu accused the AAP government of sending troublemakers to LPU ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah's rally scheduled for September 30 in Jalandhar.

LPU is strategically located on the highway linking Jalandhar and Phagwara.

Bittu suggested that the AAP is feeling threatened by the BJP's growing support in Punjab, alleging that the state government is allowing disturbances to disrupt the upcoming rally.

He criticized the police for their lenient response, which he claims led to arson and injuries among both students and law enforcement.

In a post on X, Bittu alleged that the AAP leadership orchestrated the unrest to retaliate against LPU after Ashok Mittal, the university's founder chancellor, left the party.

Bittu emphasized that the central government is closely monitoring the situation.

He warned that with only a few months left in the current government, accountability will be demanded from officials.

Traffic resumed on the national highway late Sunday night, according to Jalandhar Police Commissioner Satinder Singh, who noted that the situation is now peaceful.

A police presence remained outside LPU on Monday morning, as many students began leaving the campus after the university announced a 10-day suspension of classes.

Midterm exams have also been postponed indefinitely.

The university has permitted students to return home during this period, provided they consult with their parents or guardians.

Students choosing to stay are advised to remain in their hostels and avoid any activities that could lead to unrest for their safety.

Violence flared again on Sunday evening when protesting students reportedly threw stones at police and damaged vehicles, resulting in injuries to several officers.

A significant police force, led by ADGP M F Farooqui, entered the campus late Sunday night, conducting a flag march with senior officers.

Earlier that day, police attempted to disperse the protesters blocking NH-44, leading to clashes when students threw water bottles at them, prompting a police response.

Once inside the campus, students allegedly began throwing stones at the police.

Authorities confirmed that a rape case has been filed against an unidentified individual based on student complaints, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been established to look into the matter, despite the university labeling the allegations as mere rumors.

This incident follows a similar outbreak of violence at Chitkara University in Patiala, where students reportedly set a police vehicle on fire amid unverified claims of two female students committing suicide on campus.

Videos circulating on social media depicted protesters damaging property and setting items ablaze, with chants of 'we want justice' resonating in the background.