Punjab university suspends classes after protest over rape allegation

Lovely Professional University in Phagwara, Punjab, has suspended classes for 10 days and postponed midterm examinations after protests over an alleged rape on campus. The university announced the measures on Monday, saying students could travel home with their parents’ or guardians’ agreement.

Students who remain on campus were advised to stay in their residences and avoid unnecessary movement or involvement in unrest, the university said. The announcement followed demonstrations that reportedly escalated on Sunday.

Local media reported clashes with police and vandalism on campus, including damage to windows and vehicles. Students also reportedly blocked a nearby highway. These accounts have not been independently established in the material available.

Police are investigating the alleged incident, and the student’s identity had not been established, according to India Today. Social media posts also claimed the student had died by suicide; the source material does not verify that claim.

University registrar Monica Gulati denied that a rape had occurred. Three students appeared in a video supporting the registrar’s account; NDTV later reported that a separate video showed the same students saying they had been instructed what to say. The circumstances of the videos remain unclear.