Pakistan bans Holi: Pakistan has banned Holi celebrations in universities. This comes a day after a video of a celebration of the Hindu religious festival at the Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) in Islamabad went viral on social media. According to Geo News, the Holi was celebrated earlier this month and a huge number of students participated in the event. A Twitter account sharing updates of the Quaid-i-Azam University shared a video where students were seen celebrating the event.
The country’s Higher Education Commission issued a notification emphasising the ‘role’ of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in transforming youth, who “uphold the cultural and moral values of Islam”. “HEC being cognizant of its responsibilities as per the mandate laid down in its ordinance has been formulating policies, guiding principles and priorities for the betterment of the Higher Education sector based upon the concepts embodied in our own culture, values, and traditions, thus preserving the nation's ideology,” it said.
The commission said it was “sad” to witness incidents such as celebrating ‘Holi’, which show “a complete disconnect from the country's socio-cultural values and an erosion of the country's Islamic identity”. “One such instance that has caused concern was the fervour exhibited in marking the Hindu festival of Holi. The widely publicised event has caused concern and has disadvantageously affected the country's image.” the commission remarked.
The notification read that the commission has an ultimate responsibility to improve the Islamic nation's higher education sector, by incorporating the principles ingrained in Pakistan's culture, values, and traditions, ultimately preserving “the nation's ideology”. “While there is no denying the fact that cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity leads towards an inclusive and tolerant society, that profoundly respects all faiths and creeds; albeit it needs to be done so in a measured manner without going overboard. The students need to be apprised to be aware of the self-serving vested interests who use them for their own ends far from the altruistic critical thinking paradigm,” it said.
“Foregoing in view, it is advised that the HEIs may prudently distance themselves from all such activities obviously incompatible with the country's identity and societal values while ensuring that they rigorously engage their students and faculty in academic pursuits. intellectual debates, and cognitive learning besides identifying, creating, and fostering avenues for extracurricular activities and rational discourse,” the commission added.
