Stories
Punjab Universities Rocked by Violence Over Unverified Rumors
- •Violence erupted at Lovely Professional University and Chitkara University in Punjab.
- •Protests were fueled by unverified rumors of a rape and ghost sightings.
- •The unrest escalated into vandalism and clashes with police.
- •Concerns are rising over the role of social media in spreading panic, especially ahead of elections.
Key Questions Answered
Violence erupted at both universities after unverified rumors spread on social media regarding incidents like a rape and ghost sightings or the death of students. These false claims quickly escalated into intense protests, vandalism, and clashes with the police.
University authorities and police strongly denied the online rumors, calling them false attempts to damage their reputation. Police registered an FIR against unknown persons, formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT), and monitored the situation while managing road blockades and protests.
Following the violent demonstrations and National Highway blockades, LPU suspended regular classes for ten days and postponed interim examinations indefinitely. Students were permitted to return home with parental consent or remain inside the hostels while avoiding further protests.
