Published Sep 28, 2026 | 3:31 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 28, 2026 | 3:31 PM
Vijayan said the developments at the university should be treated with the utmost seriousness.
Synopsis: Keralam Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan has sought a transparent and comprehensive probe into the alleged rape of a female student at Lovely Professional University in Punjab and the university management’s handling of the students’ protest. Vijayan has also urged the Centre and State governments to ensure the safe return of more than 1,500 Malayali students.
Leader of the Opposition in the Keralam Legislative Assembly Pinarayi Vijayan has sought a transparent and comprehensive investigation into the unrest at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab following an allegation that a female student was raped, and urged the Centre and Punjab governments to ensure the safety and return of more than 1,500 Malayali students on the campus.
Protests broke out at the university on Sunday, 27 September, after students alleged that a female student staying at the GH-3 hostel had been raped by a plumber three days earlier. The students alleged that the university authorities had failed to act on the allegation. The university has denied the allegations.
Protesters subsequently vandalised university property and blocked National Highway-44 near Phagwara. Clashes with the police followed, disrupting traffic.
Police have registered an FIR against unidentified persons and formed a special investigation team to probe the allegations, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Jalandhar Range) Naveen Singla said. The survivor has since returned home, according to the police.
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Vijayan said the developments at the university should be treated with the utmost seriousness. He alleged that the management, headed by its founder and Chancellor and BJP MP Ashok Kumar Mittal, attempted to suppress the students’ protest by deploying police and Sangh Parivar workers.
He called for an uncompromising inquiry into the allegations and the university management’s handling of the issues raised by the students.
Classes have been suspended for 10 days amid the unrest.
The former Chief Minister urged the Centre and the State governments to intervene immediately to facilitate the safe travel of the large number of Malayali students at the university from Jalandhar to Delhi and onward to Keralam.
With train tickets potentially in short supply, he called for coordination with the Railways to arrange special trains or additional coaches. He also sought measures to ensure that the concerns of students and their parents were addressed without delay.
The CPI(M) State secretariat has also called on Chief Minister VD Satheesan to intervene in the issue.
(Edited by Dese Gowda with inputs from Dileep V Kumar)
