‘Conspiracy’ against Punjab, university & Hindu-Sikh unity: LPU Chancellor Ashok Mittal
Source Entity
The Indian Express
LPU Chancellor Ashok Mittal has labeled recent campus violence a conspiracy intended to disrupt Punjab's economy and social harmony. Authorities have filed three FIRs following student protests and vandalism sparked by unverified sexual assault rumors.
Unrest at Lovely Professional University: A Detailed Overview
The Incident and Escalation
Recent events at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, Kapurthala, have drawn significant public attention following a surge of violence and vandalism on campus. The unrest, which began in the early hours of September 27, saw students engaging in protests that escalated into property damage and arson. Reports indicate that protesters targeted facilities within the university, including the Uni Mall, where looting and destruction occurred. The situation further deteriorated as demonstrators blocked the Delhi-Amritsar National Highway (NH-44) for approximately 18 hours, causing significant public disruption.
Official Stance and 'Conspiracy' Allegations
LPU Founder and Chancellor Ashok Mittal, who serves as a Rajya Sabha MP, has publicly characterized the violence as a orchestrated "conspiracy." Speaking on the sidelines of a rally in Jalandhar, Mittal dismissed the underlying sexual assault allegations—which served as the catalyst for the protests—as entirely false. He suggested that the unrest was not a spontaneous student demonstration but a deliberate attempt to undermine the university’s reputation, destabilize Punjab’s economy, and fracture the state's historical Hindu-Sikh unity.
Legal and Security Response
In response to the chaos, local law enforcement has taken rigorous action to maintain order. Three separate First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered at the Sadar Phagwara and Satnampura police stations. These filings cover distinct aspects of the event, including the violent protest within the campus, the extensive blockade of NH-44, and the specific acts of vandalism and looting at the university's commercial facilities. Security measures around the LPU complex have been significantly tightened to prevent further escalation.
The Role of Rumors and Social Media
Investigations are currently underway to determine the origins of the unrest. Chancellor Mittal emphasized that the probe will focus on identifying the provocateurs who incited the student body. The incident highlights the dangerous volatility of social media-fueled rumors, which can quickly transform peaceful student grievances into large-scale civil disorder. By framing the incident as a potential external threat, the administration is shifting the focus toward the security implications of such mass mobilizations.
Broader Implications for Punjab
This incident carries broader implications for the state of Punjab, particularly concerning the maintenance of law and order in educational institutions. The disruption of a major national highway like NH-44 underscores the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to localized protests. As the investigation progresses, the state government and university authorities face the challenge of balancing the students' right to express concerns with the necessity of maintaining a secure and stable academic environment. The outcome of the police investigation will be crucial in determining whether the violence was truly a coordinated effort or a failure of campus crisis management.