Violence at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab's Phagwara has taken a new turn after university founder and Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal expressed concerns about a possible larger conspiracy behind the incident. He suggested that the unrest might not have been limited to the university and could be part of an attempt to disturb peace in Punjab.
The controversy began after unverified claims about an alleged sexual assault involving a female student circulated on social media. The rumours triggered student protests, which later escalated into vandalism, arson and damage to university property.
Speaking about the incident, Mittal questioned how misleading information spread so rapidly and how individuals from outside the university allegedly became involved in the violence.
Pakistan Angle Raised, Investigation Yet to Establish Any Link
Mittal highlighted Punjab's geographical position as a border state and referred to Pakistan while discussing possible external involvement.
He said that the possibility of a conspiracy originating either within or outside Punjab should be investigated. However, his remarks represent concerns and suspicions rather than an established finding by investigating agencies.
According to Mittal, the incident raises broader questions about the security of educational institutions and the possibility of social media being used to create unrest.
He also expressed concern that the violence could affect Punjab's reputation and economic environment, particularly its education sector, which attracts students from different parts of India and abroad.
Similar Incident at Another University Raises Questions
During his remarks, Mittal referred to a similar controversy at Chitkara University in Rajpura, which reportedly occurred shortly before the LPU incident.
He pointed towards similarities in the nature of rumours circulated online, suggesting that the repeated pattern required closer examination.
The reference has added another dimension to the investigation, although authorities have not publicly established a connection between the two incidents.
The role of social media platforms, particularly the circulation of unverified claims through online communities and messaging applications, has also become an important subject of discussion.
Police Arrest Five Suspects in Connection With Campus Violence
Punjab Police have arrested five individuals in connection with the vandalism at LPU. Investigators reportedly used CCTV recordings and digital evidence to identify those suspected of involvement.
The accused were produced before a court and remanded to police custody for further investigation.
Officials are examining the individual roles of those arrested, while the broader investigation continues to identify others who may have participated in the violence.
The unrest reportedly resulted in damage to university infrastructure and disruption of normal academic activities. A section of the Jalandhar-Phagwara highway was also blocked during the protests.
LPU Security and Punjab's Education Sector Under Discussion
Mittal also questioned the effectiveness of existing campus security arrangements, stating that the university had systems such as facial recognition and automated vehicle barriers.
Despite these measures, the incident exposed concerns about managing sudden unrest involving large groups of people.
He further described the violence as a potential threat to Punjab's educational ecosystem, arguing that disturbances at major institutions could influence students and businesses considering the state as a destination for education and investment.
Investigation Expected to Clarify the Larger Picture
The LPU incident has highlighted the serious consequences of misinformation, particularly when unverified allegations spread rapidly through social media.
While Ashok Mittal has raised the possibility of a wider conspiracy and referred to Pakistan, the investigation has yet to establish any such connection.
For now, police efforts remain focused on identifying those responsible, examining digital evidence and determining how the protests escalated into violence.
The findings will be important in establishing whether the incident was driven by local circumstances, organised involvement or other factors. Until then, claims about external interference must remain separate from verified investigative findings.
