Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission withdraws notice banning Holi in varsities In a notice dated June 22, the HEC said that it is “highly respectful of all religions, faiths, and beliefs, and the associated festivals and celebrations observed in the country”.

 

Earlier this month, videos of Holi celebrations at the Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad had gone viral. (Photo: AI-generated image)

By India Today World Desk: Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission (HEC) on Thursday withdrew the notification banning Holi celebrations in universities, a day after receiving severe criticism for the move.

In March, at least 15 Hindu students were injured after members of a radical Islamic student organisation stopped them from celebrating Holi at the Punjab University premises.Calling its previous notice to ban Holi celebrations in universities “taken out of context”, the HEC said, “Considering that the message inferred from the communication has regrettably led to misinterpretation, HEC is pleased to withdraw the same”.

Earlier this month, videos of Holi celebrations at the Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad went viral. In the videos, students were seen playing Holi with colours and enjoying celebrations on the college campus.