Punjab university protest follows unverified rape claim on social media

Students at Lovely Professional University in Phagwara protested early on Sunday after unverified social-media reports alleged that a female student had been raped. The protest began at about 1.45am, according to Gaurav Toora, senior superintendent of police in Kapurthala. Students gathered on campus, blocked the Jalandhar-Phagwara national highway and damaged window panes and flower pots, while some objects were set alight, videos showed.

Toora said police had no information that the alleged crime had occurred. He said officers found that rumours had prompted the gathering and also heard students’ complaints about the university administration. The police officer said the situation was under control.

A heavy police deployment remained at the university, while authorities assessed the property damage and prepared to take legal action where necessary. Students told police that their concerns were not being addressed properly. The supplied material does not identify those concerns in detail.

The incident followed a protest at Chitkara University in Patiala, where students had damaged a police vehicle after unverified claims that two female students had been found dead on campus. Authorities have not confirmed the rape allegation described in the social-media reports.