Punjab university campus goes back to routine after student protests turn violent

Lovely Professional University in Phagwara is calm again following a weekend of major student protests over an alleged rape case involving an outsider. ## What Happened Student demonstrations turned violent over the weekend, resulting in campus damage and arson. The situation worsened on Sunday evening when protesters threw stones at police officers, damaged police vehicles, and set objects on fire, injuring multiple cops in the process.

Action And Response

Students claimed outsiders were behind the property damage on campus, but police are currently checking CCTV footage to find out who was really responsible. Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav visited the university following instructions from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, and stated that strict action will be taken against anyone involved in the violence. Meanwhile, classes at the university remain suspended, and authorities have secured the area.

Context

Student protests on university campuses in India can sometimes escalate quickly when fueled by rumors or anger over safety concerns, often drawing a heavy law enforcement response. Universities must balance student expression with maintaining campus safety and public order during periods of civil unrest. Similar protests over student safety had also occurred at Chitkara University just a day prior.