Attempt to push businessmen out of Punjab: LPU Chancellor Ashok Mittal on campus violence

Lovely Professional University (LPU) Founder Chancellor and BJP Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal on Thursday claimed that the recent violence at the university was part of an attempt to “push businessmen out of Punjab”, saying the unrest had caused significant concern among investors and business owners in the state.

“This is an attempt to push businessmen out of Punjab,” Mittal said in an interview, claiming that several businessmen were now reconsidering plans to invest in Punjab amid concerns over drugs, gangsters and ransom demands.

Speaking to India Today, Mittal said people close to him who had been considering investing in the state were now telling him they would not go ahead with their plans. He also said the LPU violence had caused “a huge damage” to the business community.

‘BUSINESSMEN THINKING OF MOVING OUT’

Mittal said businessmen in Punjab were considering moving out of the state amid concerns over drugs and what he described as the “menace of gangsters”. “Many businessmen are now thinking of moving out of Punjab because they are already facing the problem of drugs and the menace of gangsters,” he said.

He claimed that businessmen were being forced to pay ransom and said the latest incident had further added to their concerns. “I am quite scared. Many people who are close to me were thinking of investing money in Punjab, but now they are saying they won't,” Mittal said.

Despite expressing concern over the situation, Mittal said he would not leave Punjab. “What may come, I'll never leave Punjab,” he said.

‘IT WAS A PRE-PLANNED CONSPIRACY’

Linking the LPU violence to the wider concerns, Mittal called the campus unrest a “pre-planned conspiracy” against the university.

He said students were “provoked” and “motivated late in the night” after rumours began circulating, while thousands of outsiders allegedly entered the campus. “Gates were open and if thousands of outsiders enter a campus then how can you stop them?” he said.

Mittal also alleged that the police reached the campus late, contributing to the escalation of violence. “If someone stoops to rampage and goondaism then what you can do?” Mittal said.

‘NO RAPE HAPPENED IN LPU’

Mittal also categorically denied that any rape had taken place at LPU campus, saying the violence followed rumours and misinformation. “I want to make it very clear, no rape incident happened in LPU. All these were only rumours. I don't know who spread this misinformation,” he said.

The violence had erupted after unverified claims of sexual assault involving a female student spread on social media and across the campus. Around 2,000 students gathered near the girls' hostel before the protest escalated into vandalism and arson.

Police said no rape complaint had been filed. They also said a female student had died by suicide several days earlier near the university's agriculture department, but there was no complaint linking the death to the rape allegations circulating among students.

A case has been registered against unknown persons and a Special Investigative Team has been formed to probe the violence, which resulted in extensive damage to university property, with window panes smashed, bricks and flower pots thrown and parts of buildings set on fire.

The university is examining CCTV footage to determine the role of around 30 to 40 students, while a disciplinary committee is being formed. Mittal said action would be sought if the investigation establishes the involvement of students.

Classes have been suspended for 10 days and examinations postponed as the university assesses the damage and investigates the circumstances surrounding the violence.