‘Big Conspiracy’ Behind LPU Campus Violence, Says Chancellor Ashok Mittal

Lovely Professional University (LPU) founder-chancellor Ashok Mittal on Wednesday alleged a “big conspiracy” behind the violence and vandalism that erupted on the university campus following protests over the alleged rape of a female student.

Speaking to reporters at a BJP rally in Jalandhar addressed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Mittal said he was less concerned about damage to university property and more worried about Punjab’s security, given that it is a border state.

“Absolutely, there is some conspiracy behind it,” said Mittal, a Rajya Sabha MP and former Aam Aadmi Party leader who joined the BJP.

He questioned who was behind the violence and “who let it happen”, asserting that the alleged rape incident was being used to defame Punjab and LPU. Mittal claimed that no victim had been found so far, while maintaining that students were provoked into joining the agitation.

“We will examine all points on our own and where need arises, will take help of governments so the right thing comes to the fore,” he said. Mittal also criticised protesters for climbing onto a decommissioned MiG-23UM aircraft and a military tank displayed on the university campus, saying the acts insulted the country and its armed forces.

The remarks came as a public interest litigation was filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking a CBI probe into the violence and vandalism at LPU. The high court on Wednesday sought a status report from the Punjab government on the matter.

The unrest erupted on Sunday when students staged a massive protest and blocked a stretch of the New Delhi-Amritsar Highway outside the university. Students alleged that an outsider raped a female student on campus and accused the administration of suppressing the matter.

They also alleged that unidentified outsiders damaged property, ransacked shops and set parts of the campus on fire. Police have registered a rape case based on students’ complaint and booked unidentified persons in connection with the violence and arson.

Following the unrest, LPU suspended classes for 10 days. A large number of students left the campus on Monday as the situation returned to calm.