Protests at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab turned violent on Sunday amid allegations of the reported sexual assault of a female student, with videos circulating on social media appearing to show people looting shops inside the university’s mall.
The videos, which have not been independently verified, show people taking food, electronic goods and other items from shops at the campus mall. In one purported video, a person can be heard saying, “Bhai, PS5 le aaye hain,” while another clip reportedly features the phrase, “free mein shopping, shopping done.”
It is not immediately clear whether everyone seen in the videos was an LPU student.
Alleged Looting and Vandalism Inside Campus
Videos circulating online also appear to show damage to shops, an ATM kiosk and other university property.
The violence reportedly began after students protested claims circulating on social media that a female student had allegedly been sexually assaulted by a construction worker on campus and later died by suicide at her home.
The university has denied the allegations, calling them “false, baseless and fabricated”.
Police have registered a case against an unknown person and formed a seven member Special Investigation Team to investigate the allegations. Investigators are examining CCTV footage, forensic evidence, call records and other digital evidence.
DIG Jalandhar Range Naveen Singla said the investigation would examine what happened in Room 504 of Girls’ Hostel 3 and whether the alleged incident actually took place.
Three Students Question University Video
The controversy took another turn on Monday after three female students who appeared in a video released by LPU questioned how the recording was used.
The university had released a video featuring Registrar Dr Monica Gulati and the three students, who said no such incident had taken place in Room 504 of Girls’ Hostel 3.
A day later, the students appeared in another purported video and alleged that they had been instructed on what to say. They also claimed that the university edited their original recording and uploaded it on social media without their consent.
“Our video has been trimmed and posted on Instagram. We had no idea about this, and no consent was taken from us. Now, unnecessarily, we are being abused,” one student said in the video.
The authenticity of the video and the students’ allegations have not been independently verified.
LPU has continued to reject the allegations and said it was relying on verified information while authorities investigated the matter.
Protest Spills Onto NH 44
The protests also spread to National Highway 44 outside the university.
Police said protesters pelted stones when attempts were made to clear the blockade. Several vehicles, including police vehicles, were damaged and some were set on fire. Police personnel were also injured during the clashes.
Students and university authorities have separately alleged that outsiders entered the campus during the unrest. The claims are also part of the ongoing investigation.
Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav visited the university on Monday and said police had used restraint, but warned that those involved in vandalism would face action.
Classes Suspended for 10 Days
LPU has suspended regular classes for 10 days from September 28 and postponed mid term examinations until further notice.
The university advised students to return to their hometowns in consultation with their parents or guardians and asked those staying on campus to remain inside their hostels and avoid involvement in the unrest.
The campus remained heavily guarded on Monday, with many students leaving the university with their luggage after the violence.
The Punjab State Women Commission has also sought a detailed report from the Kapurthala Deputy Commissioner and Senior Superintendent of Police on the alleged incident. The commission has asked for details of the FIR, SIT investigation and security arrangements for women students.
The sexual assault allegation, the conflicting accounts over the university video and the violence on campus remain under investigation.
