Desk:A prominent private university in Karachi, Sindh province, is facing criticism for issuing a show-cause notice to students for celebrating the Hindu festival of Holi on campus. The event, organized by students, was deemed a violation of campus regulations by the university administration.
Former lawmaker Lal Malhi shared the notice issued by Dawood University of Engineering and Technology on social media. Most of the students involved were from the Hindu community. However, the university clarified that the issue is not recent and denied reports that an FIR had been filed against the students.
An official explained, “The notice was issued because students organized the event without prior approval from the administration, which is against university rules. The students have already responded to the notice.”
Expressing concern over the increasing restrictions on religious minorities in Pakistan, Lal Malhi questioned, “Has celebrating Holi become a crime? Is celebrating Holi in a university now considered an act against the state?”
Similar incidents were reported last year when Hindu students faced restrictions while celebrating Holi in other provinces of Pakistan.