LPU Protest Explained: What happened at Lovely Professional University? How a rape allegation led to violent student unrest

Students at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab's Phagwara staged massive protests on September 27 after allegations surfaced that a female student was raped inside the hostel. The demonstration, which began near a girls' hostel, later turned violent, with reports of vandalism, clashes with police and a blockade of the Jalandhar-Phagwara National Highway. Police have registered a rape case against an unidentified person and formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the allegations. The university, meanwhile, has suspended regular classes for 10 days and postponed mid-term examinations.

Here is what happened at LPU, why students are protesting, what the university and police have said, and what is known about the rape allegation so far.

What happened at LPU? How did the protest begin?

The LPU protest began in the early hours of September 27, when students gathered near Girls' Hostel 3 following reports of an alleged sexual assault involving a female student. According to accounts shared by protesting students, a female student was allegedly raped by an outsider, reportedly a plumber or a worker on campus, around September 23. Students claimed that the hostel warden had been informed about the incident but that no appropriate action was taken.


Some students also alleged that the woman was subsequently sent home.

As information about the alleged incident spread through student groups and social media, students from different hostels gathered to demand answers from the university administration. The protest soon spread towards the main entrance of the university. Students raised slogans demanding justice and accountability. They also questioned why they had not received a clear explanation about the alleged assault and the university's response.

However, the allegation has not been established as fact. Police are investigating the matter, and the university has disputed the claims.

What is the LPU rape allegation? Has the incident been confirmed?

The central issue behind the LPU protest is an allegation that a female student was raped inside a girls' hostel on the university campus. According to the complaint described by police, the alleged incident took place on September 23. Students claimed that an outsider entered the hostel and sexually assaulted a student. They also questioned whether hostel authorities acted on the information they allegedly received.

Has the LPU rape allegation been proved?

No. As of September 28, the investigation is ongoing, and police have not publicly established that the alleged assault occurred as described by protesters. The university has denied the allegations, describing them as false and fabricated. It is important to distinguish between the registration of an FIR, which sets the criminal investigation in motion, and a finding that the alleged crime actually took place.

Why are LPU students protesting? What are their demands?

The protests are not limited to the allegation of sexual assault. Students have raised wider concerns about women's safety, hostel management and accountability within the university.

Their main demands include:

• A fair and transparent investigation into the alleged sexual assault and action against anyone found responsible.
• Stronger security arrangements in girls' hostels and the deployment of only female staff in areas where female students reside.
• Accountability for hostel officials, including action against the warden if negligence is established.
• Direct intervention by senior university management, including Founder-Chancellor Ashok Mittal, to address student grievances.
• Assurances that students participating in the protests will not face victimisation or restrictions on their access to the University's Management System.

Some protesters also demanded an apology from the Pro-Vice Chancellor and the resignation of the hostel warden. Students had initially said they would call off the agitation once an FIR was registered. However, the demonstration continued as talks with university management failed to resolve all their concerns.

What did LPU say about the alleged rape?

Lovely Professional University has rejected the allegations, describing the reports circulating on social media as false, misleading and fabricated. The university also released a video featuring three female students from Room 504 of Girls' Hostel 3, where the alleged incident was said to have occurred.

In the video initially shared by the university, the students said they had been staying in the room for around two months and that no such incident had taken place there. They also asked others not to disturb them. However, the video triggered a fresh controversy on September 28.

How did the LPU protest turn violent?

What began as a demonstration over the alleged assault escalated on September 27, with large groups of students moving through the campus and towards the main gate. According to reports, protesters damaged window panes, flower pots, furniture and other university property. Some objects and vehicles were set on fire, while shops inside the university complex were also reportedly damaged.

The Jalandhar-Phagwara stretch of National Highway 44 was blocked around 4 am, causing traffic disruption. Police reached the campus and attempted to clear the blockade.

The situation deteriorated further in the evening, when stones were allegedly thrown at police personnel and vehicles. Police resorted to a lathi-charge, and several officers and students were reported injured. Two police vehicles were reportedly set on fire, while additional forces were deployed to control the situation.

Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav visited the university on September 28. He said police had exercised restraint and warned that those involved in vandalism would face legal action. He also said police had facilitated discussions between students and the university administration to address their grievances.

Is LPU closed?

• Regular classes have been suspended for 10 days, effective September 28.
• Mid-term examinations have been postponed until further notice.
• A revised examination schedule will be communicated through the University's Management System (UMS).
• Students have been advised to stay in their hostels or residences if they remain on campus and avoid unnecessary movement.Times of India+1

The university has also allowed students to travel to their hometowns during the 10-day period in consultation with their parents or guardians.

Students who remain on campus have been asked to follow official instructions and avoid participating in any further unrest. The revised dates for the postponed examinations have not been announced in the reports available as of September 28.