Phagwara: Lovely Professional University (LPU) has strongly refuted rumours circulating on social media amid protests and vandalism at its campus, describing the information as “false, baseless and fabricated”.
In a statement issued on Sunday, LPU said certain “anti-social elements” were spreading false information through social media and other channels, creating confusion among students and attempting to disturb the university’s academic environment.
“The manner in which such false and misleading information is being systematically circulated appears to be a deliberate and concerted attempt to malign the reputation of the University and tarnish its image,” the university said.
LPU categorically said there was no truth in the rumours and urged students, parents and members of the public not to believe, circulate or amplify them. The university asked stakeholders to rely only on information communicated through its official channels.
The statement comes after protests erupted at the university following the circulation of unverified claims on social media about the alleged sexual assault of a female student. Students subsequently damaged university property and blocked the Jalandhar-Phagwara national highway, according to reports.
Police have said they had received no complaint or information about such a crime. Kapurthala SSP Gaurav Toora said police were informed about the situation after students gathered on the campus and blocked the highway. Reports said students protesting on campus were also unable to provide police with details of an alleged victim.
The protests escalated early Sunday, with videos circulating on social media showing damage to university property and objects being set on fire. The Jalandhar-Phagwara highway was also blocked during the unrest.
Meanwhile, police have begun looking into the circumstances surrounding the incident and the claims circulating on social media. The Tribune reported that an SIT has been formed to probe the matter.
LPU Registrar Dr Monica Gulati, in the latest statement, said the university believed the circulation of the information was a deliberate attempt to malign its reputation and urged students and other stakeholders to exercise caution.
The allegations circulating on social media have not been independently established. The police investigation is expected to clarify the circumstances behind the claims and the subsequent campus unrest.
