Source The Hindu
PHAGWARA — A wave of deep grief, panic, and burning anger swept through Lovely Professional University (LPU) over the weekend. Hundreds of distraught students poured out of their hostels and marched onto National Highway-44, bringing traffic to a grinding halt. Their tears and loud cries of “We want justice!” echoed through the night following shocking allegations that a female student was sexually assaulted inside a hostel.
Anger Spills into the Night
The turmoil began in the early hours of Sunday near one of the women’s hostels on the university grounds. Word spread like wildfire across student message boards that a resident had been assaulted by an outsider a few days earlier, and that her cries for help had been ignored by authorities.
Fearing for their own safety and devastated by the alleged ordeal of a fellow classmate, emotions boiled over. What started as a quiet gathering quickly turned into a massive, tearful outcry. Groups of agitated students marched across campus, smashing window panes, overturning flower pots, and lighting small fires in sheer desperation to make their voices heard.
Highway at a Complete Standstill
By morning, the protest spilled past the campus gates and onto the busy Delhi–Amritsar highway (NH-44). Hand in hand, students sat in the middle of the road, refusing to move.
Miles of vehicles, trucks, and family cars were left stranded under the sun. While stranded drivers pleaded with the youth to let them pass, the protesters stood firm, demanding strict action, complete transparency, and a personal meeting with top university officials. Police quickly had to divert long-distance traffic onto smaller rural bypass roads to prevent further gridlock.
University Strongly Denies Claims
Amid the widespread chaos and rising anxiety, the university administration issued an urgent statement completely refuting the claims. Officials called the rape allegation a completely baseless, fabricated rumour designed to create panic and defame the institution.
University leaders released recorded statements from hostel residents saying no such crime had taken place and pleaded with parents, public members, and students not to fall prey to unverified claims circulating on social media. Top officials assured the crowd that student safety remains their utmost priority and promised to listen to genuine hostel grievances.
Police Step In with High-Level Probe
To calm the raging emotions, a heavy police contingent arrived at the spot. Senior police officers held marathon talks with student representatives right on the road.
To ensure every detail is checked, the police registered a formal First Information Report (FIR) against an unknown person based on the students’ statements. Authorities also announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to carry out a full probe. Officers promised that security footage, visitor registers, and phone records would be carefully checked to uncover the full truth.
While the immediate road blockade was cleared, the air around the campus remains heavy with grief, mistrust, and an overwhelming demand for the safety and dignity of every young woman living away from home.
