Academic classes at Chitkara University’s Rajpura campus in Punjab’s Patiala district have been suspended for a week following student protests over a female student’s suicide, two girls missing, and screams from the girls’ hostel.
The decision comes amid continued tension on the campus after students demanded answers from the university administration over a series of claims and news being shared online.
University declares non-teaching working days
While academic activities for students have been suspended, the university has asked its faculty and staff to continue reporting for work.
A circular from the Chitkara University reads: "This is for the information of all faculty and Staff members of Chitkara University, Punjab, that from September 28, 2026 (Monday) to October 01, 2026 (Thursday) shall be observed as Non-Teaching Working Days due to administrative… pic.twitter.com/xWFyRmwVGs
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 27, 2026
According to a university circular, September 28 to October 1, 2026, will be observed as “Non-Teaching Working Days” for faculty and staff at the Punjab campus. The order said the four days would be treated as non-teaching working days “due to administrative reasons.”
The circular was issued to all faculty and staff members of Chitkara University, Punjab. The university has therefore suspended regular academic activities for students while administrative work will continue during this period.
How the protest started
The protests began on the night of September 25, when hundreds of students gathered at the Rajpura campus after claims started spreading through student WhatsApp groups and social media.
The posts included claims about a female student’s suicide, two female students going missing and screams reportedly heard from the girls’ hostel. Videos also circulated online claiming to show a “ghost” on the university campus.
As the claims spread, many hostel residents gathered in common areas and started raising questions with the university administration. Students sought clear information about what had happened and demanded answers from the authorities.
Protest turns tense
The demonstration continued into the early hours of September 26 and later became tense as some students clashed with police.
Two police vehicles were damaged, with their windscreens and windows smashed. A police outpost in-charge was also reportedly manhandled during the unrest.
The students continued to seek clarification about the claims circulating on social media, including the reports about the girls’ hostel, missing students and a suicide.
University denies death claim
The university has denied that any student died or committed suicide and said the social media claims were false. Police have started looking into the complaints and claims raised by students.
The university also said an ambulance seen near the hostel was linked to a student returning from hospital and not to any death or suicide. It clarified that the priest seen on campus had visited the hostel to meet his daughter.
The police inquiry into the claims is continuing as student protests remain at the centre of the developments at the Rajpura campus.
