Unraveling the Chaos at LPU: The Widening Probe into Campus Violence

Picture this: a bustling university campus, usually a hub of learning and youthful energy, suddenly erupting into chaos. That's precisely what happened at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, Punjab, over several tense days in late September 2026. What began with disturbing, albeit unverified, reports of an alleged rape involving an outsider quickly spiraled into widespread violence, leaving a trail of destruction and a complex police investigation in its wake.

The initial spark, fueled by those unsettling rumors, ignited a blaze of student anger. Before anyone truly grasped the gravity of the situation, protests escalated dramatically. We saw vandalism, arson attempts, extensive damage to university property – everything from the Directorate of Student Welfare (DSW) office to trophy displays and even CCTV cameras fell victim. It wasn't just confined to the campus; demonstrators even blocked the Amritsar-Delhi National Highway (NH-44) for a staggering twelve hours, bringing vital traffic to a standstill. It was a truly alarming turn of events, far beyond typical student activism.

Now, as the dust begins to settle, a pivotal figure has emerged at the heart of the widening probe: Mohammad Farhat. This first-year BBA student from Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, isn't just any student; he's also a social media influencer, known by his "farhatdev" handle with over 21,000 Instagram followers. His name, notably, appears in FIR No 163, with authorities alleging he played a significant role in escalating the protests and was present during the acts of vandalism. It certainly begs the question: how did a young influencer find himself in such a predicament?

The police certainly believe they have a case, pointing to various videos circulating online that reportedly show Farhat interacting with officers, entering the DSW building, and, yes, allegedly causing damage. It paints a rather grim picture, doesn't it? Meanwhile, LPU itself is diligently conducting an internal inquiry, and a crucial part of that involves scrutinizing Farhat's academic records. An initial assessment even suggested he might not have been an "active student" at the exact moment of the violence, though this doesn't, by any means, confirm his involvement in the destructive acts.

Yet, Farhat strongly refutes these claims, offering a starkly different narrative. He insists those circulating videos are taken out of context, lacking the full picture. According to him, he was actually trying to be a calming presence, attempting to disperse the agitated crowd and, quite remarkably, even protect university trophies from further damage. It’s a classic "he said, she said" scenario, where perception and intent clash dramatically, leaving many to wonder about the true sequence of events.

LPU founder Ashok Mittal, who is also a BJP Rajya Sabha MP, hasn't shied away from the issue, speaking from Delhi about the incident. He's openly alleged that "outsiders" exploited legitimate student unrest, essentially hijacking the protests for more nefarious ends, and has called for a thorough investigation into the vandalism and alleged theft. This perspective adds another layer of complexity, shifting some of the blame from the student body to external elements.

Indeed, the police investigation has been quite active. So far, five individuals have been arrested: James Dahiya, an LPU student from Sonepat; Sahil, another LPU student arrested from Doda, Jammu; and then three others – Gagandeep Singh and Abhi, both described by police as "outsiders" from Phagwara (Gagandeep's family, by the way, states he works as a pizza delivery boy), plus a minor student. With twenty individuals named in FIR No 163, it's clear this is a wide-ranging probe, meticulously piecing together what really happened on those tumultuous days at LPU. As the authorities continue their work, everyone is hoping to get a clearer understanding of the truth behind the campus unrest and who truly bears responsibility for the extensive damage.