'Highly Organised Conspiracy': BJP MP on LPU Unrest
BJP MP Ashok Kumar Mittal calls LPU protests a conspiracy to destabilize Punjab and spread anarchy via social media rumors.
BJP MP and Lovely Professional University (LPU) Chancellor Ashok Kumar Mittal has alleged that the recent violent protests at the university campus were part of a "highly organised conspiracy" aimed at spreading anarchy and destabilizing Punjab.
Speaking to ANI on Thursday, Mittal dismissed the claims that triggered mass student outrage, asserting that the unrest was fueled by fabricated rumors circulated primarily through the social media platform Reddit. According to the university founder, preliminary investigations by law enforcement and institutional checks have confirmed that the alleged incident never took place.
A Pattern of Unrest Across Punjab
Mittal highlighted a concerning pattern of unrest across various educational institutions in the state. He pointed out that a similar incident involving unverified rumors occurred at Chitkara University in Rajpura just 24 hours before the events unfolded at LPU.
"The rumour spread via the Reddit platform is completely false. Initial inquiries have confirmed that no such incident ever took place. It was done to destabilise LPU," Mittal stated. He suggested that the timing of these events—occurring within a 24-hour span at two different universities—points toward a coordinated effort. "This indicates a highly organised conspiracy orchestrated by malicious elements, whether from within the state, from outside the state, or even from abroad," he added.
Targeting National Symbols and Communal Harmony
The Chancellor expressed deep concern over the socio-political implications of the unrest, noting that national security symbols on the campus were targeted during the chaos. He specifically condemned videos circulating online that showed individuals climbing and dancing on a decommissioned MiG-23 fighter jet.
The MiG-23, a gift from the Indian Air Force, stands near the university's main gate as a memorial. Mittal claimed that such actions are an attempt to demoralize the Indian armed forces and compromise national security. Furthermore, he warned that there are active efforts to drive a wedge between the Hindu and Sikh communities in Punjab to incite further chaos.
The Catalyst: Viral Social Media Allegations
The controversy was ignited by viral posts on social media alleging a serious assault inside a girls' hostel on campus. These posts claimed an outsider had sexually assaulted a female student, leading to massive student gatherings demanding accountability and enhanced security measures.
The situation rapidly escalated from protests into acts of vandalism, damage to university infrastructure, and clashes that spilled onto the New Delhi–Amritsar National Highway.
In response to the chaos, the university took several emergency measures:
- Suspension of classes: Physical classes have been suspended for 10 days.
- Exam Postponement: Mid-term examinations have been pushed back.
- Internet Shutdown: The local administration temporarily cut internet access in the campus radius to curb the spread of misinformation.
Law enforcement agencies are currently working to trace the digital origin of the posts that triggered the violence. Investigations are ongoing to determine if there are any political or cross-border links behind this coordinated disruption.