New Delhi, October 1, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Lovely Professional University (LPU) founder, Chancellor and BJP MP Ashok Mittal has alleged that the violence on the university campus following rumours circulating on social media could be part of a larger conspiracy to destabilise Punjab, calling for an investigation into the incident and its possible implications for the state’s security.
Speaking in the aftermath of the violence, Mittal said rumours about the alleged rape and suicide of a female student had spread through Reddit, triggering protests that later escalated into vandalism, arson and damage to university property.
He alleged that a similar pattern had emerged at Chitkara University shortly before the LPU incident, with social media posts on both occasions reportedly making claims about female students dying by suicide. He questioned whether the incidents were linked and whether any alleged conspiracy had originated within or outside Punjab, calling for a thorough investigation.
Mittal said the violence had caused significant financial losses to LPU, with university property damaged and incidents of vandalism, alleged theft and hooliganism reported. He added that students and staff had also been affected.
However, he said his concerns extended beyond the university, alleging that the incident could have wider implications for Punjab’s stability and security.
“ I am afraid that what happened may not be against LPU alone, and may not be against Ashok Mittal alone. This conspiracy may be against my Punjab,” he said, stressing that the matter concerned the security of the state’s nearly three crore residents.
Referring to Punjab’s geographical position as a border state, Mittal said the incident needed to be examined in the context of broader security concerns. He also cited drug addiction, gangster activity, theft and kidnappings as challenges facing the state, arguing that the alleged conspiracy angle required investigation.
Mittal further raised concerns about the safety of businesses and educational institutions in Punjab. He said LPU had stringent security arrangements, including facial-recognition systems for student entry and automated barriers for vehicles, yet violence had occurred on its campus.
He questioned the safety of establishments that lacked comparable security infrastructure and said the incident had raised concerns among business owners about the overall security environment in the state.
Earlier, Mittal had described the violence as an attack on Punjab’s economy, arguing that universities such as LPU contribute to the state’s revenue by attracting students from outside Punjab. He said damage to such institutions could affect their economic contribution.
According to reports, violence broke out at the LPU campus in Punjab’s Kapurthala district after rumours circulated among students on Reddit about the alleged rape of a female student. The rumours triggered protests that reportedly escalated into vandalism, arson and property damage, while a stretch of the Jalandhar-Phagwara highway was also blocked.
When asked for details, including the alleged victim’s identity, the location of the purported incident or a formal written complaint, those spreading the claims reportedly could not provide supporting information. “Outsiders” and “anti-social elements” have been blamed for the violence and vandalism, though the allegations surrounding the incident and the possibility of a wider conspiracy remain subject to investigation.
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