Two private university campuses in Punjab witnessed violent protests on successive nights. Chitkara University faced unrest on September 25. Lovely Professional University (LPU) witnessed protests between September 26 and 27. The campuses lie around 140 kilometres apart. Rumours about girls’ safety played a central role in both incidents. At Chitkara, students reacted to ghost stories and claims about missing girls. At LPU, students raised allegations involving a hostel resident and sexual assault. Social media posts and videos amplified concerns among students. Police and university authorities later questioned several claims circulating online. Punjab Police has rejected any direct connection between the incidents. Authorities are investigating the separate allegations and circumstances behind both protests. The unrest also caused property damage and required significant police intervention. Both universities subsequently suspended regular academic activities following the disturbances.
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Ghost Scare and Missing-Girl Claims at Chitkara University
The Chitkara controversy began after frightening sounds reportedly played inside a girls’ hostel. Police said some students allegedly used a speaker to create the sounds. A rumour later claimed that the hostel remained haunted by a former student. According to police, that student had died by suicide several years earlier. An ambulance visit and a priest’s presence further intensified speculation among students. The university said the ambulance transported a student back from hospital. It also explained that the priest visited campus to meet his daughter. University officials denied any death or suicide linked to the incident. Rumours later spread that several girls had disappeared from the hostel. Police said students could not provide names or identifying details. Hundreds of students eventually gathered and demanded answers from authorities. The protest later turned violent, causing damage to vehicles and campus property.
At LPU, students gathered after allegations concerning a girl staying inside a hostel. Protesters claimed an outside worker had sexually assaulted the student. Different accounts identified the alleged worker as a painter, plumber or construction worker. Some protesters also claimed the student later returned home and died by suicide. Authorities have not verified those additional claims so far. Police nevertheless registered an FIR against an unidentified person following complaints. A Special Investigation Team is examining the allegations and available evidence. Investigators plan to examine forensic material, CCTV footage and relevant phone records. Police officials have said preliminary inquiries did not establish the alleged incident. However, authorities have continued investigating the students’ complaint through established procedures. The university also released a video featuring three hostel residents. Those students later claimed administrators had guided their statements and edited the recording.
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Protests Spread Beyond the LPU Campus
The LPU protests eventually spread outside the university and reached the Jalandhar-Phagwara highway. Protesters reportedly damaged campus property, shops, vehicles and other public infrastructure. Social media videos showed protesters climbing onto a displayed fighter aircraft and military tank. During Sunday night, a police vehicle was also reportedly set on fire. Police and protesters gave conflicting accounts about the use of force. Protesters alleged that police used a lathi charge against them. Police officials disputed the allegation and accused protesters of throwing stones. Several police personnel reportedly suffered injuries during the clashes. The highway blockade disrupted traffic towards Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Authorities later deployed more than 2,000 police personnel around the LPU campus. Police said they restored law and order after the prolonged disturbances. The university suspended regular classes and postponed scheduled mid-term examinations.
Punjab Police is examining the circumstances behind both university protests and their escalation. Special DGP Parveen Sinha has rejected claims linking the two incidents. Authorities have stressed that the allegations at both campuses remain separate. Police continue investigating the claims raised by students at LPU. Investigators are also examining the origin of rumours surrounding Chitkara University. Social media played an important role in spreading information and uncertainty. Officials have urged students and others to avoid circulating unverified claims. Both universities suspended academic activities following the violent disturbances. Chitkara suspended academic activities until October 1 after the unrest. Regular classes there are scheduled to resume from October 5. LPU suspended regular classes for ten days and postponed examinations. The incidents have raised concerns about campus safety and crisis communication. Authorities now face the task of establishing facts through formal investigations.
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