Charanjit Singh Channi alleges LPU protests were politically motivated

Former Punjab Chief Minister and Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi has alleged that recent protests and violence at Lovely Professional University (LPU) were politically motivated. Channi claimed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government targeted the institution following the decision of its owner, Ashok Mittal, to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The unrest at the Phagwara-based university reportedly began following unverified social media claims regarding the alleged rape and suicide of a student. The situation escalated into vandalism, a national highway blockade, and reports of students being severely beaten by police. Channi characterized the unrest as ‘police-sponsored agitation and hooliganism,’ questioning why an FIR was not immediately filed if a crime had occurred and why no action has been taken against officers accused of brutality.

Channi also raised concerns regarding the financial impact of the developments, noting reports of approximately 100 crore rupees in losses suffered by the university.