Tension erupted at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab on Saturday night after rumours about the alleged gang rape or suicide of a female student triggered a large student protest that later descended into vandalism and arson.

Police and the university have said they have found no evidence so far to substantiate the rape-related claims. Authorities said a woman had died by suicide several days ago near the university’s agriculture department, but there was no complaint connecting that death to the allegations circulating on campus and social media.

The unrest began near the girls’ hostel in the Phagwara campus, where around 2,000 students reportedly gathered after the claims spread online.

PROTEST ESCALATES INTO VANDALISM

What began as a gathering over the rumours escalated after protesters moved towards the highway and disrupted traffic.

According to police, some students later damaged university property, smashed windows and threw bricks and flower pots. Parts of university buildings were also set on fire during the violence.

Videos circulating on social media showed flames on the campus amid the protests. Another video appeared to show a person standing on top of a replica fighter aircraft installed on the university premises.

Police teams were deployed and subsequently cleared the highway, restoring traffic movement.

Kapurthala Senior Superintendent of Police Gaurav Toora said the situation had been brought under control and discussions were underway between students and the university administration.

A case has been registered against unidentified individuals based on statements received by police. A Special Investigation Team has also been constituted to investigate the incident and the violence.

POLICE FIND NO LINK BETWEEN SUICIDE AND RAPE CLAIMS

Police said a woman had died by suicide around four to five days before the protests in the vicinity of the university’s agriculture department.

However, SSP Toora said authorities had not received any complaint alleging that the woman had been raped.

“The students claim that there was a woman who was raped. We don't have a complaint about the girl,” Toora said, adding that the identity of the woman and any alleged perpetrator had not been established.

He said different versions of the incident were circulating among students, with some claiming that a female student had died by suicide and others alleging that she had been raped.

“So far, we have found no substantiating evidence to corroborate the incident, and no complaint has been received by us,” the SSP said.

Police also said a video being circulated as evidence of a recent suicide appeared to be an older video, reportedly dating back to August 11. An investigation is underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the video and the claims being circulated.

Some social media posts also alleged that a university worker was involved. Police have not confirmed that allegation.

LPU DENIES RUMOURS

The university has rejected the allegations, describing them as false and fabricated.

LPU Registrar Dr Monica Gulati said misinformation was being circulated through social media and other channels and accused unidentified “anti-social elements” of attempting to create confusion on campus.

“The university categorically clarifies that there is no truth in the rumours presently being circulated,” Gulati said in a statement.

The university appealed to students, parents and the public not to circulate or amplify unverified information and advised them to rely on official communication from the institution.

POLICE, UNIVERSITY IN TALKS WITH STUDENTS

With the highway reopened and the immediate unrest brought under control, police and university officials are continuing discussions with students in an effort to de-escalate the situation.

The SIT investigation is expected to examine both the origin and spread of the allegations and the subsequent violence on campus.

LPU UNREST FOLLOWS CHITKARA UNIVERSITY PROTEST

The incident at LPU comes a day after unrest at Chitkara University in Banur, near Patiala, following the circulation of unverified social media claims concerning two allegedly missing female students and a purported suicide.

Students at Chitkara also circulated claims about a female student’s death and alleged that her “ghost” was haunting hostel residents. Police and university authorities rejected the claims, saying no such death had been reported.

Authorities said students who raised the missing-person allegations were unable to provide the names or identities of the purported missing students, prompting officials to begin verification.

That protest subsequently turned violent, with police vehicles and university property reportedly damaged.

The two incidents have highlighted how unverified claims circulating rapidly through social media can trigger large-scale unrest before authorities have established the facts.