New Delhi: In a shocking announcement, smacking of Hinduphobia, the Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission (HEC) today declared that there would an umbrella ban on Holi celebrations across all educational institutes in the country.
#BREAKING: Pakistan bans Minority Hindu festival of #Holi to save “Islamic Identity” in Universities. Holi is a celebration of colours and diversity.
Where are those who claim to champion freedom of religions and expression globally and sermon India every day? Outrageous. pic.twitter.com/3MPVCpYY2H
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) June 21, 2023
The order by HEC comes on back of Holi celebrations in a public university of Islamabad, an event that sparked big controversy in Muslim nation and also drew strong backlash on social media. A couple of students purportedly celebrated the ‘festival of colous’ in Quaid-i-Azam University campus on June 12 and a couple of videos from the celebrations went viral.
The notice issued by Higher Education Commission of Pakistan says that students are forbidden to follow this festival in order to adhere to “sociocultural values”.
“It is sad to witness activities that portray a complete disconnect from our social values and an erosion of the country’s Islamic identity,” the statement read.
The viral video purportedly from Quaid-i-Azam University, a public university of Islamabad, where students could be seen celebrating Holi on the campus on June 12. The event was reportedly conducted by Mehran Students’ Council, a non-political cultural organization of the university.
Holi celebrations in Quaid-I-Azam University Islamabad Pakistan ?
Biggest holi celebration in Pakistan ? pic.twitter.com/xdBXwYEglt— QAU News (@NewsQau) June 13, 2023
“Holi celebrations in Quaid-I-Azam University Islamabad, Pakistan. Biggest Holi celebration in Pakistan,” caption of the video said.
Holi celebrations Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad ? ?#QAU_ISLAMABAD #holi #holi2023 pic.twitter.com/CHVkY5NL1m
— QAU News (@NewsQau) June 19, 2023
