No rape happened: LPU chancellor Ashok Mittal calls campus violence a conspiracy

Lovely Professional University (LPU) Chancellor and Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal has described the violence that broke out on the university campus following rumours of a sexual assault as a “conspiracy” against the institution and Punjab.

Speaking in an interview, Mittal said outsiders were involved in the violence and that some students also joined the rampage inside the university. He said the university would seek action if an investigation establishes the involvement of students.

“Whatever happened in the LPU was a result of a conspiracy,” Mittal said.

He added that the violence involved both outsiders and students. “Outsiders also did and the students also got involved in the rampage inside the university,” he said.

‘NO RAPE HAPPENED INSIDE UNIVERSITY’

Mittal also rejected reports that a rape had taken place inside the university, saying the incident was based on a message that spread on social media.

“No rape happened inside the university. It was just a message that spread all over. Nothing of this sort happened,” he said.

The comments came after violent protests erupted at LPU following unverified claims of sexual assault at a girls’ hostel. The unrest reportedly involved vandalism, arson and extensive damage to university property.

Police have said a recent suicide involving a female student near the campus was unrelated to the protests and that no complaint of rape had been filed.

The university has also described the claims circulating on social media as misinformation and said it was investigating the circumstances surrounding the violence.

LPU PROBING STUDENTS’ ROLE

The university is examining the role of around 30 to 40 students through CCTV footage and has initiated the process of forming a disciplinary committee, according to the university.

Mittal said that if the inquiry establishes the involvement of students in the violence, the university would seek action against them.

“We will definitely demand for action if the role of students emerges,” he said.

The university has also been reassessing its security arrangements and student behaviour protocols following the violence. Classes have been suspended for 10 days, while examinations have been postponed as investigations continue and the extent of the damage is assessed.

‘AS AN EDUCATIONIST, I AM HURT’

Calling the incident distressing, Mittal said the violence had affected him as an educationist.

“As an educationist I am hurt by what happened. This was a conspiracy against university, against Punjab,” he said.

When asked whether he believed the violence could have been a political conspiracy linked to his move from the Aam Aadmi Party to the BJP, Mittal declined to speculate without evidence.

“I cannot say this till I have an evidence,” he said.

Police and university authorities continue to investigate the violence, while efforts are underway to identify those responsible for vandalism and determine how the rumours that triggered the protests spread.