Pakistan Higher Education Commission Bans Holi Celebrations In Universities, Says Such Activities 'Incompatible With The Country's Identity'

Pakistan's Higher Education Commission (HEC) has banned celebration of Hindu religious festival Holi in the all educational institutions across the country, saying that such activities were "incompatible with the country's identity".

In a letter to VCs, and heads of all public and private higher educational institutions in Pakistan, HEC executive director Shaista Sohail said that activities like Holi celebrations in colleges and universities "potray a complete disconnect from our sociocultural values and an erosion of the country’s Islamic identity".

The move by HEC comes after images and videos Holi celebration event at Islamabad's Quaid-I-Azam University (QAU) went viral on social media earlier this month, reports Aaj News.

"One such instance that has caused concern was the fervour exhibited in marking [the] Hindu festival of Holi," the letter said.

“This widely reported/publicised event from the platform of a university has caused concern and has disadvantageously affected the country’s image,” the letter said.

"It is advised that HEIs [Higher Educational Institutions] may prudently distance themselves from all such activities obviously incompatible with the country's identity and societal values," the HEC said.