Hindu Students Attacked For Celebrating Holi In Pakistan University, 15 Injured: Report

Hindu students of Punjab University in Pakistan have been attacked by Islami Jamiat Tulba (IJT) activists for celebrating Holi on campus.

Hindu students attacked for playing holi in Pakistan university

Source : Twitter

In a shocking incident, Hindu students of Punjab University in Pakistan have been attacked on Tuesday by Islami Jamiat Tulba (IJT) activists for celebrating Holi on campus, reported the Dawn. Around 15 Hindu students are reportedly injured in the attack.

As per the report, the students were celebrating Holi with the permission of the administration when the IJT activists attacked them. An application has been filed before the police to register a case, Dawn reported.

Several videos of the incident have gone viral on social media with netizens reacting strongly against the attack.

Disturbing news: Goons of Islami Jamiat Talba attacked the #Holi event in Punjab University Law college. Minorities in Pakistan are under severe conditions as they are not allowed to celebrate their religious festivals. Hindu students couldn't go home bcz of exams. pic.twitter.com/FrtWEUkSFq

— Progressive Students’ Collective (@PSCollective_) March 6, 2023

Some videos show security guards carrying batons and beating the students while they are running from the scene. 

Sindh Council general secretary Kashif Brohi told Dawn that the Hindu community and the council organised a Holi celebration after getting the required permission from the university administration. He added that the IJT activists started threatening after Hindu students posted invitations for the Holi celebration on their Facebook page. 

According to Dawn, the members of the Sindh Council and Hindu community gathered outside Punjab University (PU) law College to celebrate Holi when the IJT activists attacked them. Dawn mentioned that the attackers were carrying guns and batons. 

Brohi said, as quoted by Dawn, that 15 students from the Hindu community and Sindh Council suffered injuries during clashes and moved away without celebrating the event. 

He added that the students later gathered to protest outside the vice chancellor’s office, but here also they were beaten by security guards. 

IJT’s Response To Incident 

IJT spokesperson Ibrahim Shahid told Dawn that they did not stop the Hindu community members from celebrating Holi. He said the attackers might have used their names and added that the IJT would always ensure equality to minority community members to hold their religious events. 

Shahid said that the security guards might have attacked the Hindu students but IJT had nothing to do with it. He claimed that the IJT activists were holding Dars-i-Quran on the campus and were not present there. 

University On Entire Scuffle

As per Dawn’s report, a PU spokesman assured action against the students involved in the attack. He added that the administration had allowed the Hindu community members to celebrate Holi in a hall but they went out in open and the security guards came there to stop it. 

He said the students were not allowed to organise the Holi celebration on the ground. The spokesperson also added that the security staff did not attack the students but they were trying to stop the youngsters from approaching the VC office, reported Dawn.

Meanwhile, Pakistan People's Party Chairman (PPP) and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari wished everyone on the occasion of Holi. The media cell of the PPP tweeted, "On behalf of Pakistan People's Party Chairman and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, congratulations to those who celebrate Holi around the world, including Pakistan, on the festival of colors."

پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی کے چیئرمین اور وزیر خارجہ بلاول بھٹو زرداری کی جانب سے پاکستان سمیت دنیا بھر میں ہولی منانے والوں کو رنگوں کے تہوار کی مبارک باد@BBhuttoZardari

— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) March 6, 2023