LPU Pro Chancellor urges students to verify social media claims
LPU Pro Chancellor Dr Rashmi Mittal urges students to verify social media claims following an unfortunate incident and looting on the university campus.
Following an "unfortunate" incident on the Lovely Professional University (LPU) campus over the weekend, Pro Chancellor Dr (Col) Rashmi Mittal has made an urgent appeal to the student community. She has urged students to remain calm and exercise extreme caution by verifying information before reacting to posts circulating on social media.
Rumours lead to campus unrest
Addressing the student body, Dr Mittal expressed deep disappointment regarding the recent events, noting that the university had not anticipated such a situation. She highlighted that the unrest was triggered by a rumour spreading on social media, which a section of the student population believed without verification. This led to a gathering that escalated into significant disruption.
The Pro Chancellor noted that the situation was further complicated when several outsiders joined the group of students. She alleged that during this period of chaos, shops located on the university campus were looted, describing such behavior as "completely uncalled for."
Zero tolerance for misconduct
The university administration has maintained a stance of "zero-tolerance" towards such disruptive activities. Dr Mittal emphasized that the university is taking the matter seriously and that legal consequences are expected for those involved in the looting and misconduct.
- Police Involvement: The university stated that the police are taking a serious note of the incident.
- Action Against Miscreants: Dr Mittal insisted that action must be taken against those who participated in looting and disruptive activities, including the outsiders involved.
- Protecting the Community: The administration expressed its responsibility to identify and take action against individuals who compromise campus safety.
Impact on student careers and recruitment
The incident has had tangible consequences for the student body. Due to the unrest, the university was forced to postpone a scheduled company recruitment drive. Dr Mittal reminded students that such disruptions can directly impact their professional futures and career opportunities.
"This is your career, your future... your safety is paramount to us," she stated, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
Official channels for grievance redressal
To prevent future occurrences of misinformation-led unrest, the Pro Chancellor reminded students that LPU provides multiple legitimate channels to raise concerns and seek clarifications. Rather than turning to unverified social media posts, students are encouraged to use:
- The Student Relationship division.
- The university's dedicated online platform.
- Regular scheduled meetings with university authorities.
Dr Mittal urged students to view the university administration as a support system, saying, "Come up to us, we are your family."
Guidance for the upcoming break
As the university has announced a 10-day leave, the Pro Chancellor advised students to spend this time with their families and maintain a positive mindset. She encouraged them to stay focused on their upcoming academic responsibilities, including mid-term examinations, and to avoid sharing unverified content online.
While condemning the chaos, Dr Mittal also praised the students who used social media responsibly to counter misinformation and assist first-year students in understanding the reality of the situation.