No colours please: HEC ‘concerned’ over varsity students celebrating Holi

ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has taken issue with a university’s celebration of the Hindu festival of Holi, saying that it had “caused concern and disadvantageously affected the country’s image”, according to a letter unveiled on Wednesday.

The letter, dated June 20, was written by HEC Executive Director Shaista Sohail to the heads of universities and institutions nationwide. It stressed the role of higher education institutions (HEIs) in spreading knowledge and turning young people into “cultured individuals”, while also training a workforce that meets the country’s needs.

Although the HEC letter didn’t name the university, it came out shortly after Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad drew attention on social media for holding a Holi event on March 8.

In videos shared on social media, students were seen enjoying the festival, dancing, and throwing colours to loud music.

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

— QAU News (@NewsQau) June 13, 2023

The letter went on to say that HEIs had the “ultimate responsibility to polish and nurture the exuberance of youth into learned, mature, and responsible citizens — ready to take on the reins of the country and play their role in nation building.”

It added that both public and private sector HEIs across the country are trusted to turn the youth into caring, wise, and refined individuals, helping them avoid life’s “obvious pitfalls.”

The HEC’s letter stated, “While there is no denying the fact that cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity leads towards an inclusive and tolerant society, that profoundly respects all faiths, and creeds; albeit it needs to be done so in a measured manner without going overboard. The students need to be apprised to be aware of the self-serving vested interests who use them for their own ends far from the altruistic critical thinking paradigm.”

According to the letter, the HEC creates its rules based on ideas “embodied in our own culture, values and traditions, thus preserving the nation’s ideology.”

However, it expressed sadness at activities showing a disconnect from the country’s social and cultural values and a lessening of the country’s Islamic identity. “One such instance that has caused concern was the fervour exhibited in marking [the] Hindu festival of Holi,” it said.

This widely reported event harmed the country’s image, the letter noted.

Finally, the HEC suggested HEIs to “prudently distance” themselves from activities “obviously incompatible with the country’s identity and societal values.”