"Police sponsored gundagardi": Channi claims LPU protests were political
Former Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi claims LPU protests were sponsored by police after owner Ashok Mittal joined BJP.
Former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi has launched a scathing attack on the state government, alleging that the recent protests at Lovely Professional University (LPU) were politically motivated. Channi claimed that the university was specifically targeted following the decision of its founder, Ashok Mittal, to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Allegations of Police-Sponsored Hooliganism
Speaking to members of the press, Channi raised serious concerns regarding the conduct of law enforcement and the escalation of violence on campus. He suggested that the chaos was not accidental but was orchestrated by external elements.
"Outsiders went there and engaged in hooliganism. This hooliganism was sponsored by the Police themselves," Channi alleged. He further claimed that after Ashok Mittal's move to the BJP, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government initiated actions aimed at destroying the institution.
The former Chief Minister also pointed toward the heavy-handedness of the authorities during the unrest. He questioned the accountability of the police force, asking, "Students were beaten up severely; who is responsible for that? Why was no action taken against those police officers and personnel who beat up the students so brutally?"
Financial Impact and Accountability
The unrest has reportedly resulted in significant damage to the university. Channi highlighted the massive financial implications of the recent developments, questioning who would be held responsible for the losses. "A loss of around 100 crore rupees, as reported—I don't know for sure—has occurred, so who is responsible?" he asked.
Echoing these concerns, former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa criticized the government's delayed response. He argued that the administration failed to act swiftly when students first took to the streets to protest, stating that such delays are unacceptable.
Political Friction and Official Responses
The situation has also triggered a political spat involving State Railway Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu. After Bittu suggested that the student protests were a tactic to disrupt an upcoming AAP event, Randhawa slammed the remark, stating that students should not be demeaned. He cautioned that such statements could damage the state's image.
Meanwhile, Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav provided a different perspective on the night of the unrest. According to the DGP, the tension began on the night of September 26 and 27, triggered by "late-night rumours" circulating on campus. Yadav noted that the situation involved vandalism and an attempt to set fire to a gate.
The police department maintains that officers exercised restraint and prioritized dialogue to defuse the situation. Senior officials, including the DIG of Jalandhar Range and the SSP of Kapurthala, were deployed to the scene to negotiate with students regarding their grievances with the university administration.