From Chitkara to LPU: Why private universities in Punjab hit by protests just ahead of assembly elections
PTC News Desk: Punjab witnessed major student protests at two prominent private universities over the weekend after unverified claims spread on social media, creating fear and anger among students. Both incidents later turned violent.
The first protest took place at Chitkara University near Rajpura on Friday night, followed by unrest at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara on Saturday night and into Sunday.
In both cases, police and university authorities denied the claims circulating online and said there was no evidence to support them. They also confirmed that the students were safe.
The incidents have raised concerns about how quickly rumours and unverified videos or social media posts can create tension and unrest on large university campuses.
What Happened at Chitkara University?
The first incident took place on the night of September 25 after social media posts and reels claimed that two female students were missing from the girls' hostel or had died by suicide.
Some posts also mentioned a supposed “ghost” and claimed that screams had been heard from the hostel.
The claims caused panic among students, leading to a late-night protest. A large number of students gathered on the campus and demanded answers from the university authorities. They also asked officials to check CCTV footage and provide information about the allegations.
The protest later became violent. Some campus property was damaged and a Punjab Police emergency response vehicle was allegedly attacked, with its front windshield being smashed.
Chitkara University Registrar Col Rakesh Sharma (retd) and local police officials spoke to the protesting students and denied the claims. Police also pointed out that the students could not provide the names or identities of the alleged missing students.
The university and police maintained that no student had died and that no student was missing.
LPU Protests follow within a day
Less than 24 hours later, a similar incident was reported at Lovely Professional University in Phagwara.
On Saturday night, unverified messages began circulating on social media claiming that a female student had allegedly been sexually assaulted by an outsider on the campus. Some versions of the posts also claimed that the student had died by suicide.
The messages caused concern among students, who gathered near the girls' hostel during the early hours of Sunday.
The situation soon escalated. Protesters allegedly threw bricks, damaged windowpanes and set some objects on fire inside the campus. They also reportedly broke through the campus gates and blocked the Jalandhar-Phagwara National Highway, affecting traffic movement.
A large police force was deployed to control the situation.
Kapurthala SSP Gaurav Toora said the preliminary investigation had found no evidence supporting the allegations. He also said police had not received any official complaint regarding the alleged sexual assault.
Police said the situation was under control and continued to monitor both the campus and social media platforms.
Incidents months before assembly elections
The incidents have occurred as Punjab enters an election year, increasing concerns over the potential impact of misinformation and unverified claims on public order.
LPU founder and Chancellor Ashok Mittal is an AAP Rajya Sabha MP who joined the BJP in April.
- PTC NEWS
