LPU Protests Explained: Students Deny "Rape" In University Video, Then Call It "Scripted" | Why Are They Protesting? | Watch

Protests at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, Punjab, have escalated after students raised an alleged rape incident on campus. The LPU protests saw clashes and a blockade of NH-44, while the university suspended classes as the situation unfolded.

Why are LPU students protesting and what happened on campus? Here is what we know so far.

How Did The LPU Protest Start?

The protests began around Girls' Hostel 3 at LPU in the early hours of Sunday, 27 September.

Students alleged that a female student had been raped on the campus a few days earlier. Some students also alleged that the hostel warden had been informed but that no action was taken.

An FIR was later registered at Satnampura police station based on the statement of a student who alleged that a girl had been raped at the girls' hostel on 23 September and that the administration had tried to suppress the matter. These are allegations and have not been established as facts.

The alleged survivor has reportedly left for her home.

ALSO READ: Kalkaji Gang Rape Survivor Tells Police What Happened Inside Aastha Kunj Park On Her Birthday

What About The ‘Rape-Suicide’ Claim?

Social media posts linked the alleged rape with the death of a female student. However, police have said the two matters should not be treated as the same incident.

According to Jalandhar Range DIG Naveen Singla, a Telangana student at LPU died by suicide around 15 days earlier. Police had already initiated inquest proceedings after recording statements from her family.

Students later raised concerns about that death as well, and police said they would examine their allegations separately.

There is currently no verified basis to state that the alleged rape caused that student's death.

ALSO READ: 17-Year-Old Allegedly Gang-Raped By Three Men Posing As Cops In Delhi Park Near Kalkaji Temple

Why Are Students Protesting?

Students said they wanted an investigation into the alleged rape and questioned the university's handling of the matter.

Their concerns also went beyond the specific allegation. Students raised issues about hostel safety and demanded that women's hostels have only female staff, according to police.

Students also wanted senior university officials to address them directly and sought assurances that those taking part in the protests would not face victimisation.

Police have said student representatives will be involved in the investigation into the rape allegation.

ALSO READ: IIT Bombay Student Sahil Wakode Death: What New CCTV Footage Shows | Watch

What Did The LPU Video Show?

As the claims spread, LPU denied that a rape had taken place and released a video featuring three female students from Room 504 of Girls' Hostel 3.

In the video, the students said that nothing of the sort had happened in their room and asked police and other students not to disturb them.

The situation changed after the same students later alleged that they had been instructed about what to say in the earlier video. They also questioned how their statements had been used.

The episode has raised questions about how universities should communicate during a developing investigation, particularly when claims involve rape and student safety.

ALSO READ: IIT Bombay Student Sahil Wakode Dies By Suicide Hours After Being Accused Of Cheating In Exam, Students Raise 18 Demands

What Has LPU Said?

LPU has denied the rape allegations.

Registrar Monica Gulati described the claims circulating on social media as false, baseless and fabricated. The university also alleged that some people were deliberately spreading misinformation and attempting to disturb the campus environment.

Vice-Chancellor Jaspal Singh Sandhu said the university was not aware of any such rape incident but would cooperate with the police investigation.

Following the violence, LPU suspended regular classes for 10 days from 28 September and postponed its mid-term examinations until further notice. Students were also allowed to return home with their parents' or guardians' consent.

What Happened During The Protest?

The protest eventually moved beyond the original allegations.

Students blocked NH-44, disrupting traffic between Jalandhar and Phagwara. Clashes later broke out between protesters and police.

Police said stones were thrown and vehicles were damaged, with some vehicles set on fire. Campus property was also damaged. Police personnel were injured during the unrest.

More than 2,000 police personnel were deployed as the authorities worked to restore order.

Police have also said that the situation was brought under control and traffic was restored.

ALSO READ: Who Is Suryanarayana Doolla? IIT Bombay Professor Suspended After Sahil Wakode’s Suicide

What Is The Police Investigation Looking At?

Police have registered an FIR against an unidentified person based on the allegation and formed an SIT.

The investigation is expected to examine CCTV footage, forensic material and call records before reaching a conclusion. Student representatives are also part of the investigation process, according to police.

The police are separately looking into concerns raised by students about the earlier death of the Telangana student.

This means several different questions are now being examined rather than one confirmed sequence of events.

ALSO READ: 263 Million Women Have Experienced Sexual Violence. Is It Still Women’s Fault?

The Bigger Question: What Is An Institute's Responsibility?

The LPU controversy raises a wider question for universities across India: what should an institution do when students report a serious allegation before the facts are established?

A university cannot decide whether someone is criminally guilty. That is a matter for the police and courts.

But institutions do have responsibilities around student safety, complaint mechanisms, cooperation with investigations and protection of students involved in sensitive cases.

The LPU case also shows why allegations, rumours and established facts need to be kept separate.

At present, the alleged rape remains under police investigation. LPU has denied the allegation, while students have raised concerns about how the matter was handled.

The police investigation, including the examination of CCTV footage, forensic evidence and other material, will determine what can ultimately be established.

Until then, claims about the alleged rape, the university's handling of it and the circumstances surrounding the separate student death should not be presented as proven facts.

TL;DR | News At A Glance

What happened at LPU?
Students protested at Lovely Professional University in Phagwara over an alleged rape involving a female student.

When did the protests begin?
The major protest began during the early hours of 27 September 2026.

What were students demanding?
Students demanded an investigation into the alleged rape and raised concerns about women's hostel safety, including a demand for all-female hostel staff.

Has the rape allegation been confirmed?
No. The allegation is under investigation. LPU has denied that the incident occurred.

What has the police done?
Police registered an FIR against an unidentified person and formed an SIT. Investigators are examining CCTV, phone and forensic evidence.

What happened to classes and exams?
LPU suspended regular classes for 10 days from 28 September and postponed mid-term examinations until further notice.