Students at Punjab’s Lovely Professional University (LPU) have alleged that a video released by the university to counter claims of a rape inside a hostel was scripted and edited without their consent.
Three students featured in the video claimed they were instructed on what to say and that only part of their original recording was later posted on the university’s social media accounts. Their allegations come amid protests on the LPU campus over claims that a student was raped by a construction worker and later died by suicide.
Students allege video was edited
The university had posted a video featuring registrar Monika Gulati during the protests. In it, three students identified as residents of Room 504 in Girls’ Hostel 3 (GH3) appeared to deny that any such incident had taken place there.
Gulati introduced them by saying, “I would like you to hear what the girls residing in room number 504 of GH3 told us.”
The students said they were staying in the room for around two months. One claimed no such incident had occurred there, while another spoke about alleged harassment and said they would involve their parents if it continued.
However, one of the students later alleged that they were instructed about what to say.
“We were told that you should say something like, ‘The children keep troubling you.’” The student also claimed that the recording was subsequently shortened before being uploaded.
“Our half video was trimmed and posted on Instagram, which we had no idea about. No consent was taken from us. This happened without our knowledge, and we were unnecessarily abused and subjected to vulgar comments.”
Another student said the three had nothing to do with the alleged incident.
“We have no involvement in this. A random room was picked and named. We have absolutely no role in this. Please leave us alone.”
The authenticity of the videos could not be independently verified.
Protests continue over rape allegation
The controversy erupted after students alleged that a construction worker raped a female student inside a university hostel. Police said the hostel warden allegedly sent the student home instead of informing them. The student later allegedly died by suicide at her home.
LPU denied the rape-suicide allegation and accused “anti-social elements” of creating confusion and disrupting the campus.
Police have continued investigating the matter. DIG Jalandhar Range Naveen Singla said five representatives of protesting students were included in the probe team and that digital, technical and other evidence would be examined.
Classes suspended, exams postponed
LPU has suspended regular classes for 10 days from September 28 and postponed mid-term examinations until further notice.
The university has advised students who remain on campus to stay inside their hostels and avoid unnecessary movement or involvement in the unrest.