KARACHI, Feb 23: A prominent private university located in Karachi, Sindh province, Pakistan, has faced backlash after issuing a show-cause notice to students for celebrating the Hindu festival of Holi on its premises.
Lal Malhi, a former member of Parliament, shared the notice on social media, which was given to the predominantly Hindu student body at Dawood University of Engineering and Technology.
The university clarified that this issue had been dealt with previously and refuted claims that any FIRs had been filed against the students.
According to an official, “The students received notices for organizing an event on campus without prior approval from the administration, which violates university regulations.”
“The students have already addressed the notices,” the official added.
Lal Malhi voiced his concerns about the increasing criminalization of minority religious expressions in Pakistan, questioning: “Has celebrating Holi become a criminal act? Is holding a Holi celebration at a university now seen as an act against the State?”
Last year, Hindu students encountered similar challenges in various provinces during the Holi celebrations. Nevertheless, those issues were largely overlooked.
Student factions associated with Islamist parties often oppose cultural liberal celebrations on campuses, even when they involve Muslim students, perceiving such activities as incompatible with societal norms and un-Islamic.
Viral videos capturing these celebrations have led to tensions and violence between student groups on campuses.
Hindus, who predominantly reside in the southern Sindh province, have long contended that they are unfairly treated by authorities, citing increasing instances of forced conversions and the marriages of impoverished young Hindu girls to Muslim men. (PTI)
