Violent protests broke out at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Jalandhar, Punjab, on Saturday night over an alleged rape case and a student’s death by suicide. Students damaged university property, set parts of buildings on fire and blocked the Delhi-Amritsar highway around 4 am, demanding an FIR. Jalandhar Range DIG Naveen Singla said a student was allegedly raped three days ago and police had begun the process of registering a case. Police are also investigating the reported suicide of a Telangana student around two weeks ago. The university denied the circulating claims, calling them false and baseless. (PC: HT)

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said India is now operating in the “fifth generation of warfare,” where technology, artificial intelligence, drones, cyber capabilities and information systems are increasingly shaping military operations. Speaking at the NDTV Defence Summit 2026, Singh highlighted the changing nature of conflict and the need for India to strengthen its technological and defence capabilities. The summit brought together senior military leaders, policymakers and defence-industry representatives to discuss military preparedness, strategic autonomy and emerging technologies. Discussions also focused on AI, space, fifth-generation technologies, defence manufacturing and strategic partnerships as India adapts to an increasingly technology-driven security environment. 

Tension erupted at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, Punjab, after unverified social media claims alleged that a female student had been gangraped or died by suicide. Around 2,000 students reportedly gathered near a girls’ hostel, later blocking a highway and damaging university property, including windows and flower pots. Parts of campus buildings were also set on fire. Police said they had received no complaint or evidence supporting the rape allegation and said conflicting rumours had triggered the unrest. LPU called the claims false and fabricated. Police cleared the highway, brought the situation under control and continued discussions with students and university officials. 

India’s academic freedom has been classified as “severely restricted” in Scholars at Risk’s Free to Think 2026 report. The report recorded 42 attacks on academic freedom in India, the highest country total among the 59 countries and territories covered, involving incidents such as violence, imprisonment and loss of positions. India’s Academic Freedom Index score fell to 0.14 in 2026 from 0.16 in 2024 and 0.41 in 2015. The report cited concerns over university governance, faculty decisions, student expression and restrictions on academic events. It also highlighted political tensions and government influence over higher education institutions. 

The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has announced plans to begin a nationwide agitation from Mumbai on October 2 after its deadline for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation ended. The group is opposing the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and has sought Kumar’s resignation. The protest venue has not been finalised, although Azad Maidan is being considered, subject to police permission. Opposition parties have indicated separate protest plans rather than formally joining the CJP agitation. Congress has announced demonstrations over its allegations concerning electoral processes, while Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray has expressed support for the October 2 protest. (PC: X)

Former Chief Election Commissioner T.N. Seshan’s legacy has returned to public discussion amid the ongoing controversy over the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Seshan, who served as CEC from 1990 to 1996, is remembered for enforcing the Model Code of Conduct more strictly, promoting voter identity cards, scrutinising election expenditure and strengthening election monitoring. He also asserted the ECI’s constitutional powers under Article 324. His tenure included a major dispute over the Commission becoming a multi-member body, which the Supreme Court upheld in 1995. His record continues to feature in debates over the ECI’s authority and independence. (PC: PTI)

The Election Commission has revised rules governing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, leading to stricter verification of voters’ eligibility. The changes were introduced after the experience of the Bihar SIR exercise, where electors were required to provide documents establishing eligibility, including citizenship, birth and residence details. Under the revised process, voters may receive notices where discrepancies or eligibility concerns arise, requiring them to submit supporting documents. The Election Commission says the exercise aims to ensure accurate electoral rolls and remove ineligible entries. The increased scrutiny has also triggered concerns over documentation requirements and the transparency of the verification process. (PC: The Hindu)

The parents of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode, who died by suicide on September 18, began an indefinite hunger strike at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan, demanding action against those named in the case. The couple had initially planned to protest outside the IIT Bombay campus but were stopped by police, who said they had permission to demonstrate at Azad Maidan instead. They have alleged that Sahil faced caste-based discrimination and sought a speedy, independent investigation. The Mumbai Police Crime Branch is investigating the death, while IIT Bombay has constituted an internal committee. A faculty member named in the FIR has been sent on leave pending the probe. (PC: PTI)

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke renewed his demand for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation after former Kerala chief secretary Jiji Thomson alleged that Kumar offered him a BJP candidature in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Thomson reportedly said Kumar asked him in 2016 whether he would contest from Pathanamthitta, but he declined. Dipke shared the allegation and called for Kumar to step down. The controversy comes amid wider disputes over the Election Commission’s functioning and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The Election Commission has maintained that differing views are part of institutional deliberations and that its decisions were taken through established procedures. (PC: ANI)

The Odisha government has reported 1,741 errors in textbooks for Classes 1 to 8, despite spending around ₹175 crore on their printing and publication. According to School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond, the errors include 1,075 grammatical, typographical and spelling mistakes, five factual or conceptual errors, and 661 suggestions for improvement. Class 8 Science had the highest number, with 294 errors, followed by Class 7 Urdu with 121. The government said revised, error-free editions are being prepared. Several education officials were suspended or face disciplinary action, while stronger expert fact-checking and proofreading procedures have been introduced. (PC: X)