Pakistan Bans Holi Celebrations in Universities to Protect Islamic Identity

Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission (HEC) ordered a ban on Holi celebrations in universities of the Islamic nation.

This order of Pak authorities is said to be related to Holi celebration by students of Quaid-i-Azam University on June 12. The event was held by the Mehran Students’ Council, a non-political cultural organisation of the university. Videos of this celebration of colours went viral on social media.

Holi celebrations in Quaid-I-Azam University Islamabad Pakistan 🍁
Biggest holi celebration in Pakistan 💓 pic.twitter.com/xdBXwYEglt

— QAU News (@NewsQau) June 13, 2023

In a notice, the Commission stated that students are forbidden to follow this festival in order to adhere to “sociocultural values”.

“Such activities portray a complete disconnect from country’s sociocultural values and are an erosion of the country’s Islamic identity,” the notice read.

Referring to Holi celebrations at Quaid-i-Azam University, the Commission stated, “This widely reported/publicized event from the platform of a university has caused concern and has disadvantageously affected the country’s image.”

In March, at least 15 Hindu students were injured when a group of radical Islamic students opposed their Holi celebration at the Punjab University premises.