Phagwara: A tense situation unfolded at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab's Phagwara after viral social media claims about an alleged student-related incident sparked a massive protest on campus. The issue quickly became a major talking point after hundreds of students gathered, roads were blocked and police launched an investigation to verify the circulating claims.
The protest has drawn attention because it involves concerns over student safety, campus administration, social media misinformation and law enforcement response. While students demanded strict action and transparency, the university administration said the claims circulating online were unverified and misleading.
How the LPU Protest Started
The unrest reportedly began late Saturday night after messages related to an alleged rape and suicide incident involving a female student started spreading across social media platforms.
Following the circulation of these messages, a large number of students gathered near the hostel area and later moved towards other parts of the university campus. The situation intensified as students raised questions about security arrangements, hostel management and the response system inside the university.
The incident triggered widespread discussion among students and on social media, with many demanding a detailed investigation into the matter.
Students Block Jalandhar-Phagwara Highway
The protest soon moved beyond the university campus when students blocked the Jalandhar-Phagwara National Highway, creating major traffic disruption in the region.
Vehicles remained stuck for long hours as traffic movement between Jalandhar and Phagwara was affected. Commuters traveling towards Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir routes also faced difficulties due to the highway blockade.
Traffic authorities diverted vehicles through alternate routes to manage the situation. However, officials indicated that restoring normal traffic flow would take time because of the heavy vehicle backlog.
Police Register FIR, Launch SIT Investigation
Kapurthala police reached the spot with additional forces after the protest escalated. Senior police officials, including Jalandhar Range DIG Naveen Singla and Kapurthala SSP Gaurav Toora, monitored the situation and interacted with students.
Police registered an FIR after recording statements connected with the complaint. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has also been formed to investigate the allegations.
The investigation will examine CCTV footage, mobile phone records, forensic evidence and other technical details to establish the facts. Officials have maintained that the truth will emerge only after a detailed probe.
Campus Tension, Damage Reported During Protest
The situation at LPU remained tense as visuals from the campus showed large gatherings of protesting students. Reports suggested that some areas of the university witnessed damage to property, including broken glass panels, damaged installations and disruption inside the campus. Some videos circulating online also showed fire-related incidents at certain locations.
Authorities are examining the circumstances behind the damage and identifying individuals involved in the incidents. Some visuals also showed students climbing on military-themed installations placed inside the campus, including an aircraft and tank display, during the protest.
University Denies Allegations, Calls for Verified Information
Lovely Professional University administration rejected the claims circulating on social media and said that unverified information had created confusion among students and the public.
The university urged students, parents and citizens to depend only on official updates and avoid sharing unconfirmed messages. The administration also assured cooperation with the police investigation and said action would be taken according to law if any facts were established during the probe.
Students Raise Additional Demands
Apart from the alleged incident, protesting students also highlighted concerns related to hostel facilities and campus management. Students demanded stronger security measures and requested that female hostels should have only women staff members to improve safety and confidence among residents. The administration and police officials are expected to hold further discussions with student representatives regarding these concerns.
Bigger Issue: Student Safety and Social Media Rumors
The LPU protest has brought renewed attention to the growing impact of social media rumors during sensitive situations. In recent years, several campus-related incidents across India have shown how quickly unverified information can spread online and trigger public reactions before facts are confirmed. Authorities have appealed to people not to circulate unverified videos, messages or claims, as such information can create panic and complicate investigations.