Lovely Professional University blames outsiders for violence

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, September 29, 2026

Lovely Professional University in Punjab experienced violent protests involving vandalism and arson after rumors of a sexual assault by an outsider led to student unrest demanding investigations and administrative accountability. Authorities have responded by increasing security, suspending classes for 10 days, and launching a thorough investigation while warning those responsible for illegal acts will face legal action.

Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab’s Jalandhar district reported incidents of violence on its campus involving protests, vandalism, and arson, attributing the unrest to the involvement of outsiders. The university announced measures to enhance security and restore order following the disturbances on September 28 and 29.

The unrest erupted after rumors circulated on social media alleging that a female student had been sexually assaulted by an outsider within the university premises. LPU has strongly denied these allegations, describing them as unfounded. Despite this, students demanded a thorough investigation into the incident, the identification and arrest of the alleged perpetrator, probes into previous cases of sexual assault and suicides on campus, the resignation of the hostel warden where the incident reportedly occurred, and a direct address to protesters by LPU Chancellor and BJP Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal.

Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav visited the campus following Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s directive to assess the situation after the protests escalated, resulting in the destruction of property, including the torching of three police vehicles. DGP Yadav stated that police exercised restraint and employed minimal force during confrontations with the students. He warned that individuals implicated in arson, vandalism, or other illegal actions would face legal consequences.

Authorities are conducting a “scientific investigation” into the events, including reviewing CCTV footage and other evidence. DGP Yadav emphasized that no individual would be exempt from accountability regardless of their status or position. As part of maintaining safety and order, the university has suspended classes for 10 days starting from September 28 and postponed mid-term examinations.

So far, the identity of the alleged victim has not been confirmed, and investigations are ongoing. Meanwhile, the university urged calm among the student body and sought to restore normalcy on campus amid heightened tensions.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.