Archive · 28 Sep 2026
LPU Violence Sparks Punjab Political Clash Over Law, Shah Rally
Students at Lovely Professional University protested after unverified claims about a female student spread online.
The claims said she had been sexually assaulted on campus.
Police initially said they had no confirmed information about such a crime, and the university called the allegations false.
The protest became violent, with property damaged and some objects set on fire.
Students blocked a major highway, causing vehicles and trucks to remain stuck.
Police used a lathi-charge after the road blockade continued.
Some students and police officers were reportedly injured.
Police registered a case and created a special team to check what really happened.
Political opponents blamed the Punjab government, while some BJP leaders made unproven claims about a possible connection to Amit Shah’s upcoming rally.
Violent protests at Lovely Professional University in Phagwara followed unverified social-media allegations that a female student was sexually assaulted on campus.
Students allegedly damaged property, set objects on fire and blocked the New Delhi-Amritsar highway, disrupting traffic and stranding truck drivers.
Police used a lathi-charge after the blockade continued; students and police personnel were reportedly injured, while officials said protesters attacked police with stones.
Punjab Police registered an FIR, formed a Special Investigation Team and launched a wider inquiry, while LPU called the allegations false and fabricated.
Opposition leaders accused the AAP government of failing on law and order, while BJP leaders alleged the unrest could be linked to Amit Shah’s September 30 rally; those claims were not established in the reports.
- Who
- Students of Lovely Professional University, Punjab Police, university authorities, political leaders and affected commuters and truck drivers.
- What
- A student protest became violent, involving alleged vandalism, fires, clashes, injuries and a highway blockade, followed by a political dispute over the government’s response.
- When
- The unrest unfolded over Saturday night and Sunday, September 27, 2026; the campus was reported peaceful on Monday.
- Where
- Lovely Professional University in Phagwara, Punjab, and the nearby New Delhi-Amritsar/Jalandhar-Phagwara highway.
- Why
- The protest followed unverified allegations of sexual assault involving a female student. Police and the university initially said the allegations had not been confirmed, while police later opened an investigation.
Government, Police and University Position
Opposition and Critics’ Position
Status of the allegations
Government, Police and University Position
Police initially said they had no confirmed information of a sexual-assault crime, while Lovely Professional University described the allegations as false, baseless and fabricated. Police nevertheless registered an FIR and began investigating whether the claims were supported by evidence.
Opposition and Critics’ Position
Opposition leaders said students deserved transparent, impartial and time-bound answers rather than rumours or suppression, and demanded an independent investigation.
Handling of the protest
Government, Police and University Position
Police said protesters blocked the highway and officials reported stone-pelting, attacks on police vehicles and injuries, while BJP leader Raj Kumar Gupta said protesters should not damage property or inconvenience commuters.
Opposition and Critics’ Position
Critics accused the Punjab government of failing to communicate with students and lawfully manage the situation. Harsimrat Kaur Badal condemned what she described as a brutal lathi-charge, while Amarinder Singh Raja Warring called the violence evidence of failed law and order.
Possible political motive
Government, Police and University Position
Authorities said they were conducting a wider inquiry and that the LPU and Chitkara University incidents were currently considered unrelated. The reports did not establish a link to Amit Shah’s rally.
Opposition and Critics’ Position
BJP leaders Ravneet Singh Bittu and Pritpal Singh Balliawal alleged that the unrest may have been deliberately provoked or connected to Shah’s September 30 rally, including claims involving outsiders; these allegations were presented without confirmation.
- Institution
- Lovely Professional University in Phagwara
- Reported trigger
- Unverified social-media allegations that a female student was sexually assaulted on campus
- Police investigation
- An FIR was registered based on a student’s statement and a Special Investigation Team was formed
- Reported violence
- Property damage, fires, stone-pelting and attacks on police vehicles were reported
- Police response
- Police used a lathi-charge after protesters continued blocking the highway
- Traffic impact
- Vehicles and truck drivers were stranded after protesters blocked the highway; one driver said the disruption lasted nearly seven hours
- Political dispute
- Congress and BJP leaders criticized the Punjab government, while BJP figures alleged a possible connection to Amit Shah’s September 30 rally
