LPU Suspends Classes for 10 Days, Postpones Mid-Term Exams Amid Campus Unrest

Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab's Phagwara has suspended regular classes for 10 days and postponed its mid-term examinations until further notice, after unrest on campus over an allegation of rape that spread through social media posts.

In a notice issued to students, the university said classes would remain suspended with effect from September 28. "Regular classes will remain suspended for a period of 10 days with effect from 28th Sept. Mid-Term Examinations are postponed until further notice. The revised examination schedule will be communicated separately via UMS," the notice said, referring to the University Management System.

The university has told students that they may travel to their hometowns during this period, in consultation with their parents or guardians. Those who choose to stay back have been advised to remain inside their hostels or places of residence and to avoid unnecessary movement or involvement in activities related to the unrest, "in the interest of their own safety".

Separately, Chitkara University in Punjab has declared September 28 to October 1 as non-teaching working days. A notice to faculty and staff said the period would be observed as non-teaching working days for administrative reasons. The notice did not state any connection to the events at LPU.

The unrest began on Sunday, after posts on social media alleged that a student had been raped on the campus premises. Large numbers of students gathered on campus in protest. Videos circulating online, which appeared to show some students climbing onto a decommissioned military aircraft and a tank displayed at the university, could not be independently verified.

Police said the matter is under investigation and that the claims circulating online have not yet been verified. An First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against unidentified persons, and investigators are working to establish the facts of the case. The identity of the person or persons accused is not known at this stage.

Two points of law and fairness are important here. Under Indian law, every accused person is presumed innocent until a competent court finds otherwise. Indian law also protects the identity of a person who reports a sexual offence, and this report does not name anyone connected with the allegation.

The allegation is serious and deserves a thorough, time-bound investigation. It is equally important that conclusions are not drawn before that inquiry is complete. Students, residents of Phagwara and social media users should rely on information issued by the police and the university, and share anything they know about the case with the investigating officers rather than amplifying unverified posts.

Universities in the region are watching the situation closely. Chitkara University's decision to keep teaching staff away for four days has been described in its notice as an administrative measure, while LPU has not indicated when normal academic activity will resume.

For LPU students, the immediate practical questions are the revised examination calendar and the status of hostel facilities during the break. The university has said the new mid-term schedule will be posted on the UMS portal. Students staying on campus have been asked to remain in their hostels, and those travelling home have been asked to inform their parents or guardians first.

Further updates from the police investigation and from the university administration are expected in the coming days. This report will be updated as verified information becomes available. Readers are advised to treat unconfirmed claims circulating on social media with caution.