Students at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, Punjab, have been protesting over allegations of sexual assault on campus. It started with claims spreading among students on social media. By Sunday, it had grown into a large protest marked by vandalism, fires, and clashes with police.
Things are now under control, but a lot of questions are still unanswered, including what actually happened and how the allegations spread so fast. Police have registered a rape case against an unidentified person and set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into it.
What Triggered the LPU Protest?
The trouble began when students started sharing claims that a female student had been sexually assaulted inside a girls’ hostel. According to reports, students alleged that an outsider working as a plumber had entered a hostel room and assaulted a student. Some posts on social media also claimed that the student later died by suicide.
It’s important to note that these claims have not been established by the police. Officers looking into the matter said their initial checks at the location did not back up the alleged assault. They also said the students who were in the room named in the allegations denied that any such incident took place.
How Did the Student Protest Turn Violent?
The protest picked up pace quickly in the early hours of Sunday. Students first gathered around the hostel and then moved toward the university’s main entrance. As tensions rose, parts of the campus were damaged, and some vehicles and other property were set on fire.
The unrest then spilled outside the campus, with students blocking a stretch of the Delhi-Amritsar National Highway (NH-44). Police cleared the road after clashes with protesters. According to police, protesters threw stones and targeted police vehicles, and officers used a lathi charge to bring the situation under control. The highway stayed blocked for more than 15 hours, and traffic was restored during the night between Sunday and Monday. Officials said the situation was under control by Monday morning.
What Are LPU Students Demanding?
At the heart of the protest are concerns about safety and security inside the university’s hostels. The students’ reported demands include stronger security in girls’ hostels, more accountability from hostel officials, and action if negligence is established.
Some students have also asked that male staff not be deployed in areas where female students live. Others want action against hostel officials, along with assurances that those who took part in the protest won’t face retaliation. Students also want senior university officials to speak to them directly and hear their concerns.
What Has the Punjab Police Said?
Police have registered a rape case against an unidentified person, even though they have said the allegation has not yet been substantiated. A seven-member SIT has been formed to investigate. It is expected to go through CCTV footage, forensic evidence and phone data. According to police, student representatives have also been included in the team.
Authorities have said they will examine all available evidence before drawing any conclusions about the allegations. Police are also looking into a separate case involving another female LPU student from Telangana, who reportedly died by suicide around two weeks earlier. Her phone has been seized and sent for forensic examination. So far, no link between that case and the current allegations has been established.
What Has LPU Said About the Allegations?
LPU has denied the sexual assault allegations, calling them false and fabricated. The university says it is cooperating with the police investigation and will hand over CCTV footage and any other information investigators ask for. It has also urged students, parents and the public not to circulate unverified information while the investigation is on.
There is one more development. Three students who appeared in a video released by the university have since alleged that they were told what to say and that the video was edited before it was shared publicly. These claims are now part of the wider dispute and have not been independently established.
LPU Suspends Classes for 10 Days
Following the unrest, LPU has suspended regular classes for 10 days starting September 28, 2026. Mid-term examinations have also been postponed until further notice, and a revised schedule will be shared separately through the university’s system.
Students who wish to go home have been advised to speak with their parents or guardians first. Those staying on campus have been asked to remain in their hostels or residences and avoid unnecessary movement.
What Is the Situation at LPU Today?
As of September 28, police say the situation around LPU is under control, and traffic on NH-44 is moving normally again. Security personnel remain deployed around the university while the investigation continues. The big question now is what evidence investigators uncover about the allegations that set off the protest.
Until then, it helps to keep three things separate: claims made during the protest, statements from the university, and findings established by the police. The rape allegation is still under investigation, and no conclusion about the alleged incident should be drawn until that process is complete.
Bottom line
The LPU protest has brought up serious questions about student safety, campus security, and how quickly unverified information can spread in a tense situation. At the same time, the central allegations are still under investigation.
With the SIT going through CCTV footage, forensic evidence and phone data, its findings will be key to establishing what really happened. Until then, claims shared on social media should be treated with caution and kept separate from facts confirmed by investigators.
