AN ugly incident on the Punjab University campus in Lahore on Monday is illustrative of the vulgar display of power many student wings of political and religious parties often resort to, as well as the shrinking space for minorities in this country. Members of the Sindh Council and Hindu students had organised an event to celebrate Holi on campus, yet far from a joyful festivity, the event turned into a violent melee as armed members of the Islami Jamiat-i-Tulaba — the Jamaat-i-Islami’s student wing — allegedly attacked the revellers. At least 15 students belonging to the Hindu community were injured in the fracas. The IJT has denied it was involved in the attack, though members of the Sindh Council say they had been receiving threats from the Jamiat after the Holi event was publicised on Facebook. To add insult to injury, when the aggrieved students tried to protest the attack outside the VC’s office, they were reportedly beaten by security guards.

The Punjab University administration must thoroughly investigate this brazen injustice and punish all involved, including the guilty students and staffers. Pakistan’s ‘soft image’ is torn to shreds when distasteful incidents such as these come to light. Unfortunately, this is not the first time the IJT has been accused of violently imposing its rigid worldview on campuses. It is particularly powerful on the PU campus, and appears to be beyond reproach. No party should be above the law and no groups can be allowed to dictate how universities are run, and what extracurricular activities can and cannot take place. The JI needs to do a better job of reining in its student wing, and addressing their thuggish behaviour. Moreover, students belonging to all ethnic, confessional and religious groups must have the freedom to observe cultural events on campus. If Hindu students are prevented from observing their religious festivities in an institute of higher learning, what message are we sending the world?

Published in Dawn, March 8th, 2023