LPU suspends classes for 10 days, postpones mid-term exams after student protest turns violent

Lovely Professional University (LPU) has suspended regular classes for 10 days and postponed its mid-term examinations following protest on campus that turned violent amid allegations and rumours surrounding the Kolkata SRFTI Clash: Students allege 'assault' during ABGP event, group denies chargesalleged rape and suicide of a female student.

In its latest notice, LPU said regular classes will remain suspended for 10 days with effect from September 28, 2026. The university also announced that the mid-term examinations have been postponed until further notice. University’s Unified Management System (UMS) will release the revised examination schedule separately.

LPU decided to postpone the exam to ensure “safety and well-being” of students following the unrest on campus. The university has also allowed students to travel to their hometowns during the 10-day period in consultation with their parents or guardians. Students who choose to remain on campus have been advised to stay inside their hostels or places of residence and avoid unnecessary movement or involvement in any unrest-related activities.

“Students are requested to remain calm, follow official instructions, and stay connected through UMS for all further updates,” the university said in its notice.

On Sunday evening, the protesting students pelted stones at police personnel and attacked their vehicles, leaving several cops injured. Some students threw water bottles and also clashed with police, who resorted to lathi charge, prompting the students to run towards the campus. However, once inside, the students started to indiscriminately pelt stones at the police, the officials said.

The police have restored the traffic movement on the National Highway-44 in Punjab's Phagwara, which had been blocked by the students of Lovely Professional University (LPU) for over 15 hours. Students of LPU went on a rampage on the campus on Sunday, vandalising property and blocking a stretch of the New Delhi-Amritsar highway outside their campus over claims that an outsider raped a female student on the university premises. The traffic movement on the national highway resumed in the intervening night of Sunday and Monday, Jalandhar Police Commissioner Satinder Singh told PTI .

Also read Kolkata SRFTI Clash: Students allege 'assault' during ABGP event, group denies charges

Alleged rape, suicide

The latest development comes a day after a protest erupted at the LPU campus in Phagwara amid social media claims concerning the alleged rape and suicide of a female student. Videos circulating online showed students allegedly damaging university property, including window panes and flower pots, with some objects also seen on fire.

The students had gathered at the campus during early hours of September 27 and blocked a road. A heavy police deployment was subsequently made at the university and officials said the situation was brought under control.

Punjab Police has initiated an FIR against an unknown person following a complaint concerning an alleged rape of a girl residing in the G3 hostel. A special investigation team has been formed, and the probe will include forensic analysis, examination of CCTV footage and phone data, according to police officials.

The university, however, has rejected the claims circulating on social media, describing them as “false and baseless”. LPU said certain “anti-social elements” were spreading false and fabricated rumours through social media and other channels, allegedly creating confusion among students and attempting to disturb the academic environment.

An LPU official, Dinesh Bali, told media agencies that the protest stemmed from a rumour about a student having committed suicide. He said no such incident had taken place inside the university and that no girl had committed suicide or died on the campus.

Police officials, meanwhile, are in contact with students who raised issues concerning the university administration and hostel-related matters. The police said efforts are being made to resolve them.

(With PTI inputs)