Campus Turns Violent over Rape Allegation at Indian University

Protests at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab, India, turned violent on Sunday following allegations of sexual assault against a female student. Several videos circulating on social media showed shops at the university’s shopping mall being vandalised and looted.

The videos, which have not been independently verified, showed people taking food, electronic goods and other items from the campus mall. In one video, a person was heard saying, “Brother, I brought a PS5,” while another video featured someone saying, “Free shopping, shopping done.” However, it could not immediately be confirmed whether everyone seen in the videos was an LPU student.

Other videos circulating online showed damage to shops, ATM booths and other university property on the campus. Claims circulated on social media that a female student had allegedly been raped by a construction worker on campus and later died by suicide at her home. Students mainly took to the streets to protest the alleged incident.

The university authorities completely rejected the allegation, describing it as “false, baseless and fabricated.”

Meanwhile, police filed a case against unidentified persons and formed a seven-member Special Investigation Team (SIT). Investigators are examining CCTV footage, forensic evidence, call records and other digital evidence.

Naveen Singla, DIG of the Jalandhar Range, said the investigation would determine exactly what happened in Room 504 of Girls’ Hostel 3 and whether any such incident actually took place as alleged.

Three Students Raise Explosive Allegations over University-Released Video

The controversy took a new turn on Monday when three LPU students featured in a video released by the university questioned the way the recording had been used.

The university authorities had released a video featuring Registrar Dr Monika Gulati and the three students, in which they said no such incident had taken place in Room 504.

However, a day later, the students appeared in another video and claimed that they had been instructed beforehand about what to say. They further alleged that the original recording had been edited and uploaded on social media without their consent.

In the video, one student said, “Our video was cut short and posted on Instagram. We knew nothing about it, and our consent was not taken. Now we are being unnecessarily abused.”

However, the authenticity of the video and the students’ allegations could not be independently verified. The university authorities remained firm on their earlier position, saying they were relying on verified information and that law enforcement agencies were investigating the matter.

Protests Spread to National Highway 44

The protests spread beyond the campus to National Highway 44. Police said protesters pelted officers with stones when they attempted to clear the blockade. Several police personnel were injured in the clashes, while several vehicles, including police vehicles, were vandalised and set on fire.

Both the university authorities and students separately claimed that outsiders had entered the campus during the unrest. This issue is also part of the police investigation.

Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav visited the campus on Monday. He said police had handled the situation with maximum restraint, but strict action would be taken against those involved in the violence.

In view of the situation, LPU authorities announced the suspension of all regular classes for 10 days from September 28. The mid-term examinations have also been postponed until further notice.

The university administration advised students to return to their respective homes after consulting their parents. Those staying on campus were instructed to remain inside their hostels and warned against getting involved in any form of disorder.

Tight security measures were put in place across the campus on Monday. Many students, frightened by the violence, were seen packing their belongings and leaving the campus.

Meanwhile, the Punjab State Commission for Women has also sought a detailed report from the Deputy Commissioner and Senior Superintendent of Police of Kapurthala regarding the incident. The commission sought details of the FIR, progress in the SIT investigation and security arrangements for female students.

The allegations of sexual assault, the controversy surrounding the university-released video and the violence that spread across the campus are all now under investigation.