As Lovely Professional University (LPU) continues to investigate the violence, vandalism and arson that erupted on its campus, the name of first-year BBA student and social media creator Farhat Dev has emerged in connection with allegations surrounding the unrest.
Dev, who hails from Kishtwar in Jammu and Kashmir, is known on social media for poetry and rap. He has now come under scrutiny after allegations surfaced about his alleged presence during the vandalism of parts of the university campus.
However, Dev denied being responsible for the violence and said he believed he was being singled out.
Farhat Dev admits being present, denies responsibility for violence
Dev acknowledged that he was present at the location when the situation escalated, but maintained that the chaos had already begun before he arrived.
According to Dev, some people had moved away from the main protest and allegedly started vandalising and looting the Uni Mall area. He claimed that he and some other students attempted to stop them.
“I am not guilty. I was attacked. I am not responsible for the attack,” Dev said during the interview.
His account comes as the university examines CCTV footage and other evidence to establish what happened during the unrest and identify students allegedly involved in acts of violence and vandalism.
Student denies breaking trophies, admits other damage
One of the allegations surrounding Dev concerns damage to the university's DSW office and trophy area.
Dev denied breaking the trophies, saying he had only moved them aside. At the same time, he acknowledged vandalising the TongueStyle area and a statue.
Dev also said he later realised that his actions were wrong and attributed his behaviour to the situation at the time.
His statements have added another dimension to the ongoing inquiry, which is examining the alleged role of individual students rather than relying solely on social media claims.
Dev says he was attacked and questioned why he was targeted
Dev also alleged that he was attacked on the night before his interview.
While speaking to NDTV, he showed an injury mark and claimed that he had CCTV footage and information about the identities of those who allegedly attacked him.
He further alleged that he suffered an injury when he approached the police.
These claims have not been independently established and remain part of the broader set of allegations surrounding the unrest.
Dev also questioned why he was being singled out when, according to him, several other people were involved in the chaos.
“The whole university is against me. Friends are against me,” he said, describing his experience following the incident.
Social media allegations bring Dev's name into inquiry
The allegations against Dev gained wider attention after a social media video by student Ramya Mishra.
According to reports, Mishra alleged that Dev was among the first students to enter the DSW office as the protests escalated. The video also alleged that another student was invited inside before CCTV cameras were damaged.
These allegations have not been established as facts and are being examined as part of the university's ongoing inquiry.
LPU has reportedly placed around 30 to 40 students under scrutiny as investigators examine CCTV footage and other available evidence related to alleged vandalism, arson and violence.
Unverified assault claims triggered protests
The campus unrest followed the circulation of unverified social media claims concerning the alleged sexual assault of a female student.
The claims triggered protests that later escalated into vandalism, arson and clashes on campus.
Police have registered a case and constituted a Special Investigation Team to investigate the allegations that preceded the unrest.
This means two interconnected investigations are now unfolding — one into the original allegations that triggered the protests and another into the violence and vandalism that followed.
LPU suspends classes as investigation continues
Amid the continuing situation, LPU suspended regular classes for 10 days from September 28 and postponed its mid-term examinations.
Heavy police deployment was also maintained on the campus, while many students reportedly left for their homes.
For now, Farhat Dev remains one of the students whose alleged role is being examined.
His own account differs significantly from the allegations made against him. While he has acknowledged being present and admitted to certain acts of vandalism, he has denied responsibility for the wider violence and questioned why he is being singled out.
The exact sequence of events, the role of individual students and the extent of responsibility for the damage will depend on the findings of the ongoing investigation, CCTV footage, witness statements and other evidence.
