INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
AMRITSAR: The Pakistan government has banned celebration of Holi in its higher education institutions just days after a controversy erupted
in the neighbouring country over celebrations of the festival at Islamabad's prestigious Quaid-i-Azam University.The celebration of the
festival has had an adverse impact on the country's image, wrote Dr Shaista Sohail, the executive director of the Pakistan's Higher
Education Commission, in a letter addressed to all vice-chancellors, rectors, and heads of institutions on June 20.Expressing deep sorrow at
witnessing actions that "manifest a stark detachment from the socio-cultural principles of Pakistan and an erosion of the country's profound
Islamic identity," she wrote: "The fervour exhibited in marking the Hindu festival of Holi from the platform of a university has caused
concern and has disadvantageously affected the country's image."The students of Quaid-i-Azam University celebrated Holi on the campus on
June 12 in an event organised by a non-political cultural organisation of the university
Mostly men could be seen playing with colours in a video of the event uploaded on Twitter.However, the notification has been criticised by
both Hindus and Muslims in the country
Pakistani social activist Babar Jalandhari said that non-Muslims should be permitted to celebrate their religious festivals, just like
He advocated for institutions to encourage rather than discourage religious observances based on one's identity, emphasising joint
celebrations of all festivals in Pakistan, thus rejecting any ban on non-Muslims.Dr Jaipal Chhabaria, the Hindu member of Pakistan's
National Commission for Minorities (NCM), said that non-Muslim students should be allowed to celebrate their religious festivals within the
boundaries and regulations set by the respective educational institutions
Regarding the celebration of Holi, he said that Hindu students should not apply colours to Muslim students without their consent, but Muslim
students who are comfortable participating should be welcomed.Dr Chhabaria also noted that issuing a notification specifically for this
matter might not be necessary, as Muslim students already celebrate their own religious festivals
Minority wing president of Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Lal Chand Malhi said Pakistan's constitution grants equal rights to
He said the ban violated the constitutional spirit and cited how the construction of a Hindu temple in Islamabad was disallowed.
