Lovely Professional University in Punjab's Phagwara has suspended classes for ten days and postponed its mid-term examinations after a students' protest over an alleged rape case turned violent.
The students went on a rampage on the campus on Sunday, vandalising property, pelting stones at police vehicles and blocking a national highway.
"Regular classes will remain suspended for a period of 10 days with effect from 28th Sept. 2026 (Monday). Mid-Term Examinations are postponed until further notice. The revised examination schedule will be communicated separately via UMS," the university said in a statement.
It said students can either travel to their hometowns or stay back in their hostels during the 10-day period after consulting their parents.
“Students who stay back are advised to stay inside their hostels/places of residence and avoid unnecessary movement or involvement in any unrest activities in the interest of their own safety," the statement added.
The university further appealed to the protesting students to remain calm, follow official instructions and stay connected for further updates.
Tension prevailed on the campus throughout the day, with a student climbing atop a decommissioned MiG-23UM aircraft installed on the premises, while a few others climbed onto a military tank.
Videos shared on social media showed protesters damaging window panes and flower pots on the campus and setting some objects on fire.
As the violence escalated in the evening, a large police force led by ADGP M.F. Farooqui entered the LPU campus, with police later saying that the situation had been brought under control.
"We will ensure security on the campus throughout the night... A force of over 2,000 personnel is currently deployed here. Law and order has been fully maintained and restored... The process is ongoing, and we are working to keep the situation under control," Farooqui said.
Jalandhar Police Commissioner Satinder Singh said that reports of disturbances in hostels were rumours, adding that all hostels had been checked and the situation is normal.
"Overall, the atmosphere is fine, and any minor issues will be addressed. Please inform the families that all students are safe and there is no cause for concern," Singh said.
The protest began near Girls' Hostel-3 on the campus around 1 am on Sunday after some students alleged that a female student staying there had been raped by a plumber three days earlier.
The LPU management, however, dismissed the claim as "rumours", with Registrar Monica Gulati saying that some anti-social elements were spreading "false, baseless and fabricated" allegations.
LPU also released a video statement featuring three female students from Room No. 504 of the hostel, who claimed that no rape incident had taken place and said they had been staying there for the past two months.
Police, however, have registered a rape case against an unknown person based on a complaint filed by the students, and an SIT has been formed to investigate the matter.
