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By Chetanya Sarraf
Sep 28, 2026, 12:20 AM
Sukhbir Badal Flags LPU Conspiracy
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal has alleged that the violence at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara points to a “larger conspiracy”, after reports that outsiders carrying weapons and walkie-talkies were allegedly found amid the campus protests.
Badal’s remarks came as tension continued at LPU following violent demonstrations over unverified reports concerning the alleged sexual assault of a female student. The university has denied the allegations, calling the reports false and fabricated, while Punjab Police have initiated an investigation into the events.
The situation at the university escalated over the weekend, with students protesting on campus, damage to property, clashes with police and disruption on the Jalandhar-Phagwara National Highway. LPU has since suspended regular classes for 10 days from September 28 and postponed its mid-term examinations until further notice.
What Sukhbir Badal Said
According to the statement carried by ANI, Badal questioned how people described as outsiders could allegedly enter the LPU campus carrying weapons and walkie-talkies during the unrest.
He said students had apprehended some of the alleged outsiders and questioned why an FIR had not been filed after their arrest. Badal described the development as evidence, in his view, of a wider conspiracy behind the events at the university.
These are Badal’s allegations, rather than an established finding by investigators. There is currently no independent evidence establishing that the LPU violence was part of a larger conspiracy.
The SAD chief’s comments came at a time when authorities were already examining the circumstances surrounding the protests and the violence that followed. Police have formed a Special Investigation Team to investigate the allegations and developments surrounding the campus unrest.
The university has also maintained that the reports that triggered the initial protests were false and fabricated. That position is important because the original claims circulating among students and on social media had not initially been confirmed by police.
How the LPU Protest Escalated
The protests at Lovely Professional University began after reports circulated about an alleged sexual assault involving a female student. Students gathered on campus and demanded action, but the situation later became violent.
According to reports, protesters damaged university property, broke window panes and set some objects on fire. The unrest also spread outside the university, with the Jalandhar-Phagwara National Highway being blocked during the demonstrations. Police and protesters subsequently clashed, and several people, including police personnel, were reported injured.
The university has rejected the allegations that initially triggered the protests. It said the reports were baseless and fabricated rumours. Police also had not confirmed the alleged incident when the initial protests began, making the distinction between allegations and verified facts particularly important.
As the situation worsened, security forces were deployed around the campus. Reports on September 28 said a large police presence had been arranged to maintain law and order.
LPU subsequently announced the suspension of regular classes for 10 days beginning September 28. The university also postponed mid-term examinations and advised students who remained on campus to avoid unnecessary movement and involvement in unrest.
The developments have therefore moved beyond a student protest and become a broader law-and-order issue requiring investigation by state authorities.
Investigation and Political Reactions
The allegations made by Badal come as authorities continue to investigate what happened at the university and how the protests escalated.
A seven-member SIT has been formed to investigate the case, according to current reports. The police investigation is expected to examine the original allegations, the circumstances surrounding the protests, damage caused during the unrest and the involvement of people who may have entered the campus during the violence.
This investigation will be important in separating confirmed information from claims that have circulated through social media and other channels.
The question of outsiders is particularly significant because the protests involved allegations that people who were not students entered the campus during the unrest. However, claims about weapons, walkie-talkies or a coordinated conspiracy should be treated as allegations unless investigators establish them through evidence.
Badal’s statement has added a political dimension to an already tense situation. As SAD president, he has called for accountability over what he described as a serious security concern at the university.
At the same time, the political reaction should be distinguished from the ongoing police investigation. Whether the incidents were connected to a broader plan, or whether they resulted from individuals taking advantage of an already volatile protest, remains a matter for investigators to establish.
The university’s own response has focused on restoring safety and normalcy. Classes have been suspended, examinations postponed and students given the option of returning to their hometowns during the 10-day suspension period.
What Happens Next at LPU
The immediate focus is now on maintaining security at the campus and establishing the sequence of events that led to the violence.
Investigators will have to examine available evidence, including statements from students, university officials, police personnel and others present during the protests. Any claims involving alleged outsiders or weapons would also need to be verified through the police investigation rather than treated as established facts.
The authorities also face the task of addressing concerns among students while preventing further disruption on campus.
The LPU administration has already taken steps to reduce activity at the university by suspending classes for 10 days. The postponement of mid-term examinations is another consequence of the unrest and means students will have to wait for a revised examination schedule.
The situation has also drawn wider attention because it follows unrest at another Punjab university, Chitkara University, where protests had similarly followed unverified reports. Authorities will therefore be closely examining whether there are any connections between the incidents or whether they developed independently. Current reporting has not established such a connection.
For now, Sukhbir Badal’s allegation of a larger conspiracy remains a political claim that has not been established by investigators. The police investigation and SIT inquiry will be central to determining what actually happened at LPU, who was involved in the violence and whether outsiders entered the campus with weapons or other equipment.
As the investigation continues, verified information from police and other authorities will be important in establishing the facts surrounding the LPU protests
Source: ANI
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