‘Stemmed from a rumour’: LPU students protest over ‘unverified’ rape allegations on campus

Students of a private university in Punjab, Lovely Professional University Phagwara, held a massive protest and went on a rampage on the campus following unverified reports on social media about the alleged rape of a female student and suicide.

However, senior superintendent of police (SSP), Kapurthala, Gaurav Toora said police have no information about any such crime.

There are multiple videos circulating on social media showing students of Lovely Professional University (LPU) damaging window panes, flower pots and even putting some objects on fire. The students also blocked the Jalandhar-Phagwara national highway.

Police said that they received information that students gathered at the LPU campus at 1:45 am and blocked a road.

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LPU students protest over ‘unverified claims’

Asked about the unverified claim of an alleged rape with a female student that was circulating on social media, police told reporters, "When we reached here, we came to know that there were rumours. Because of the rumours, students gathered here".

"We spoke to students who had some issues with the LPU administration. We heard them and are trying to get them resolved. The situation is completely under control," the SSP said.

An assessment of the property damage is being done, and necessary legal action will be taken, Toora said.

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Protest stemmed from a rumour, says university official

Also, while speaking to ANI, a college official, Dinesh Bali, said that the protest stemmed from a rumour circulating claiming that a student had committed suicide.

“One student posted a reel, which was shared further and further, and by morning, it had turned into an uproar. I state with full authority: no such incident occurred inside; no girl committed suicide, and no death took place,” the university official added.

Replying to a question, the police said students have stated that their issues are not redressed properly. A heavy police force has been deployed at the university, with police stating that the situation is now under control.

The incident came days after students of Chitkara University in Patiala held a protest and damaged a police vehicle over unverified claims that two female students allegedly committed suicide on the campus. With inputs from PTI