LPU Campus Tense After Viral Rape-Suicide Claim

Tension prevailed at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab’s Phagwara after an unverified message circulated on social media claiming that a female student had allegedly been raped and subsequently died by suicide. The message triggered protests near the girls’ hostel in the early hours of Sunday. A large number of students gathered on the campus, with reports of protesters damaging window panes, flower pots and other university property. Some objects were also reportedly set on fire. Students later blocked the Jalandhar-Phagwara National Highway, disrupting traffic. Police reached the campus and took steps to bring the situation under control. The Indian Express

Police initially said they had not received a complaint or found evidence substantiating the rape allegation. However, later reports said police had begun the process of registering an FIR based on statements from students, while the allegations themselves remained under investigation. Students reportedly raised concerns about how the university had handled the matter. Meanwhile, the university administration urged students not to believe or circulate unverified information and said the campus was safe. Authorities are continuing to investigate both the allegations and the circumstances surrounding the protests.