Hindu students in a university in Pakistan have gotten into trouble after celebrating Holi. A video of the celebration went viral, and a notice has been issued against them, sparking a debate about religious intolerance.
Dawood University of Engineering and Technology in Karachi is facing criticism after giving a show-cause notice to students who celebrated the Hindu festival of Holi on campus. The incident has caused a lot of controversy, with reports saying that FIRs have been filed against some Hindu students, accusing them of chanting anti-state slogans on university grounds.
However, the institute clarified it was an old case and denied reports that any FIRs had been registered against students.
The issue was highlighted by Lal Malhi, a former member of Pakistan’s National Assembly, raised a question on social media. He expressed concern over how minority religious practices are increasingly being treated as crimes in Pakistan. Malhi asked, “Has celebrating Holi become a crime now? Is celebrating Holi at a university seen as an act against the state?” His comments struck a chord with many, bringing attention to the bigger problem of intolerance and discrimination faced by religious minorities, particularly Hindus, in Pakistan
A viral video of the Holi celebration on the university campus, along with the notice issued by the administration, has sparked a public debate. The notice accuses the students of doing things seen as offensive to the state, a claim that many critics say shows the increasing marginalization of religious minorities in Pakistan. The Hindu community, although small in number, has long faced neglect, violence, and social exclusion in the country.
Have a look at the viral video:
#BREAKING: Pakistan continues to target its minorities. Dawood University Karachi has issued a show-cause notice to students for celebrating the Hindu festival of Holi. FIR also registered against Hindu students. Islamist radicals have been intimidating students for playing Holi. pic.twitter.com/ginApv6kQg
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) February 22, 2025
Hindus in Pakistan, especially those living in rural areas, face high levels of poverty, illiteracy, and lack of access to basic healthcare. In cities, they struggle with fewer job opportunities and social discrimination. Religious intolerance is common, with frequent reports of forced conversions, abductions, and violence, especially against Hindu women and children. The country’s laws offer little protection for minorities, and Hindus often find it hard to get justice because of bias in the legal system. The misuse of blasphemy laws has made things worse, with some Hindus being accused without evidence or a fair trial.
