'Send them all to India': Pakistani students get disciplinary notice for celebrating Holi in university

Chandigarh, June 20

Quaid-i-Azam Universitya state-funded university in Islamabad, Pakistancelebrated Holi on the campus on June 12.

The event was held by the Mehran Students’ Council, a non-political cultural organisation of the university.

An official page for news of the university posted a video of the students dancing their hearts out while playing Holi.

“Holi celebrations in Quaid-I-Azam University Islamabad, Pakistan. Biggest Holi celebration in Pakistan,” it read.

Twitter, however, is divided over it. The event received a mixed reaction.

On May 18, the registrar’s office in the university had issued a notice saying “no cultural event or festival can be held without the formal approval of the university administration”.

The notice said the students participating in unauthorised festivities would face disciplinary action.

As per Indian Express, in response to the notice, the Quaid-i-Azam University Admission Cell issued a statement on their Facebook account.

The statement said, “Cultural diversity is something very unique in QAU and cultural performances are key to represent own culture. In the whole subcontinent, only two universities, one from India and QAU from Pakistan are known for freedom of speech, expression and tolerance. Attack on cultural performances or any attempt to ban such activities will lead to further anger and hatred. Raid or any other action by guards or police will always be condemned. Dancing in the name of culture is far better than killing in the name of religion.”