Pakistan: Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission has banned Holi celebrations in universities across the nation. This development comes a few days after videos of students celebrating festival Quaid-i-Azam University went viral on social media platforms. The event was held by the Mehran Students Council, a non-political cultural organisation of the university. The commission stated that restriction has been placed in order to prevent disconnect from ‘sociocultural values.’ The notice also read celebration of such festivals prompts ‘erosion of Islamic identity.’ The commission stated it was sad to witness such incidents “One such instance that has caused concern was the fervour exhibited in marking Hindu festival of Holi…the widely publicised event has caused concern and has disadvantageously affected the country’s image.”
‘Measured manner without going overboard‘
The notification mentioned role of education commission in embodying culture, values and traditions of country for betterment of Higher education in order to preserve the nation’s ideology. While it highlighted the importance of diversity for creating an inclusive culture, the notice read “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,” The notification also highlighted that universities should refrain from activities that are “obviously incompatible with the country’s identity and societal values.”
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Pakistan’s discriminatory approach towards Minorities
The event has once again highlighted the state of minorities affairs in Pakistan. The discriminatory approach towards minorities has once again raised concerns over religious intolerance and the erosion of cultural diversity. Pakistan-based human rights activist Ashiknaz Khokhar came out strongly in defence of minorities’ rights to practise their religion. “The decision to ban festivals like Holi is a shameful act and it hurts the sentiments of the minority Hindu community,” he said. The United States government’s report on ‘International Religious Freedom’ published in 2022, had recommended Pakistan among the list of 12 nations, where there is a “concern for religious freedom”.
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