PHAGWARA: Violence and protests at Lovely Professional University (LPU) have triggered a political blame game, with leaders questioning the presence of alleged outsiders on campus and accusing the Punjab government of failing to maintain law and order.The controversy erupted after students protested over claims of an alleged sexual assault involving a female student, with the unrest later escalating into stone-pelting, damage to property and clashes with police.While police have registered an FIR and formed a special investigation team to examine the allegations, the university has denied that a rape took place on campus and described the claims as rumours.Amid the conflicting accounts, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has raised questions over how outsiders allegedly entered the campus, while SAD and BJP leaders have alleged a wider political conspiracy.
Abhijeet Dipke flags ‘outsiders’
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke questioned how outsiders were allegedly able to enter the LPU campus during the unrest.He said several female students had spoken about feeling unsafe and called on Punjab Police to explain how outsiders gained access to the university.Dipke said, “Students’ safety and security cannot be compromised. Punjab Police must investigate and answer how this happened.”
Majithia alleges ‘revenge’
SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia alleged that LPU students were being used as “pawns for revenge” and linked the unrest to LPU founder-chancellor Ashok Mittal joining the BJP.In a post on X, Majithia said, “Guru Dokhi @BhagwantMann, Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia allegedly used LPU students as pawns for revenge!”He further alleged, “After Ashok Mittal joined the BJP, outsiders were brought from Delhi to provoke the agitation.”Majithia also claimed that video evidence showed people carrying “walkie talkies, bats and weapons” while police remained “mute spectators”.He questioned the detention and subsequent release of outsiders and asked, “Was this done merely to settle a personal score?”He called for a central probe into the incident.
Sukhbir Badal alleges ‘larger conspiracy’
SAD leader Sukhbir Singh Badal also questioned the presence of alleged outsiders on campus.“It is shocking that goons carrying walkie-talkies and weapons were found inside LPU – and it was the brave students who nabbed them and got them arrested,” Badal said.“Those apprehended are outsiders, which establishes that this is a larger conspiracy,” he alleged, while questioning where police had filed FIRs following the arrests.Badal also accused the AAP leadership of attempting to divert attention from other controversies, saying, “Guru Dokhi @BhagwantMann has once again failed Punjab.”
Warring calls for student safety, attacks Mann govt
Reacting to the situation, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Punjab Congress chief, on his X handle posted, “The situation at LPU is deeply concerning, while the Bhagwant Mann government is fast asleep.”He stated that Congress stands firmly with students at a time when they are looking for safety, support and answers. “For us, the safety and well-being of every student comes first,” he added.“Today, students from other states were safely sent back to their homes because they are away from their families and parents, and their safety is our responsibility. I appeal to every student at LPU: if you need any assistance, please reach out to me. I will make every possible effort to stand by you and provide whatever support I can,” his post read further.
BJP backs conspiracy allegation
Punjab BJP vice-president Fatehjung Singh Bajwa alleged that the incident was part of a larger political conspiracy.“This is a conspiracy by the Aam Aadmi Party,” Bajwa said, alleging that the party had orchestrated the episode to divert attention from what he described as the government’s “major blunders”.He also alleged police complicity, saying, “Law and order have completely spiralled out of control in Punjab; the administration has failed across the entire state.”As per a PTI report, police have said an investigation is underway into the allegations that triggered the protests.DIG Naveen Singla said an FIR had been registered on the basis of the students’ complaint and that forensic samples, CCTV footage and call records would be examined.LPU, however, has denied the alleged rape incident, calling the claims “false, baseless and fabricated” rumours. The university has suspended regular classes for 10 days and postponed mid-term examinations.The situation was reported to be peaceful on Monday, with police deployed at all gates. Chief minister Bhagwant Mann has directed strict action against those responsible and asked DGP Gaurav Yadav to visit the campus and assess the situation.(With agency inputs)
