Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) General Secretary Anil Sareen on Monday, 28 September 2026, held the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab government directly responsible for the violence, vandalism, and arson that erupted at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Jalandhar. The condemnation came as Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav visited the campus amid continuing tension following two days of violent student protests.

What Happened on Campus

LPU witnessed protests, vandalism, and arson over the past two days, with student unrest spilling into serious disorder. According to reports, three police vehicles were set on fire during the protests. The university alleged that individuals from outside the campus entered the premises carrying weapons, attempted to access girls' hostels, and engaged in misbehaviour — claims also echoed by students.

However, as LPU acknowledged, the role of alleged outsiders and the exact circumstances that triggered the violence remain subject to an ongoing investigation.

BJP's Accusations Against the AAP Government

Sareen questioned how armed individuals from outside could enter the university, carry out arson and vandalism, and leave unchallenged — all in the presence of Punjab Police. 'No steps were taken to ensure the safety of the students studying at the university, which is a matter of serious concern,' he said.

He argued that students themselves could not have set fire to their own classrooms and laboratories, pointing the finger squarely at external elements. Sareen also took a broader political swipe, alleging that the Punjab government's credibility had fallen so low that when a Rajya Sabha member, reportedly disenchanted with AAP's policies and alleged corruption, switched parties, political tactics were deployed against him.

The BJP leader demanded a high-level, impartial investigation and strict action against those found responsible for the unrest.

DGP's Visit and Government Response

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann directed DGP Gaurav Yadav to visit the LPU campus and assess the ground situation following the violence. Yadav's visit signals that the state government is treating the unrest as a serious law-and-order concern, even as the BJP intensifies political pressure over the handling of the episode.

The university, meanwhile, said it was taking steps to strengthen security and restore normalcy on campus. No formal arrests or identification of the alleged outsiders had been publicly announced at the time of reporting.

Background and Broader Context

LPU, one of India's largest private universities by enrolment, has a predominantly student population drawn from across the country and abroad, making security incidents on its campus a matter of national concern. This is not the first instance of student unrest flaring into violence at Indian universities in recent years, but the involvement of alleged outside elements — if confirmed by investigators — would mark a qualitatively different dimension to this episode.

The incident also arrives at a politically charged moment in Punjab, with the BJP seeking to capitalise on any governance lapses by the AAP administration ahead of local political cycles.

What Happens Next

Investigators are expected to review CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts to determine the identities of those who entered the campus. The university has committed to tightening access controls. The BJP's demand for a high-level inquiry keeps political pressure on the Mann government to act transparently and swiftly — the outcome of any probe will likely shape the narrative around Punjab's law-and-order record for weeks to come.