Lovely Professional University on the boil: What has led to the students’ protest in Punjab?
LPU has claimed that certain anti-social elements were spreading completely false, baseless and fabricated rumours
The Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, Punjab was the site of a massive student protest on September 26-27, 2026, sparked by a rumor of a rape on campus. Agitated students blocked National Highway-44, setting fires and damaging property. The university claimed the rumors were false and that students were spreading misinformation.
The police registered a First Information Report (FIR) on rape charges and formed a Special Investigation Team. LPU's Vice Chancellor reassured students that any grievances would be addressed, yet protests persisted. Police responded with a lathi charge and some students threw stones at them. The situation was brought under control the next day, with the highway cleared for traffic.
LPU suspended classes and postponed exams. Students demanded the university's founder-chancellor personally intervene and ensure their safety. The incident follows a similar protest at another university in Punjab, where students alleged two female students died by suicide. Police investigations have found no basis for these claims.
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