LAHORE: The Government College University (GCU) on Thursday postponed US music band performance on the campus over students’ protest.

The GCU literary society was holding an event of a music band from California (USA) consisting of female singers and musicians at Bukhari Auditorium of the campus at 2pm on Thursday. The administration directed all female faculty members and students to attend the function.

However, Progressive Student Collective (PSC) activists announced holding a protest against the GCU administration for organising a US-based band event on the campus, ignoring involvement of America in supporting Israel that is involved in genocide of Palestinians.

The activists gathered on the campus and tried to enter the auditorium but they were not allowed.

Later, the PSC activists gathered outside the vice chancellor office and launched a protest against the performance of US singers. PSC activist Ali Raza said the students organised a protest two days ago outside the US consulate in support of people of Palestine but a state institution was holding an American Embassy funded event on its campus and it was like challenging the students.

He said the students were gathered to protest the performance of the US band and the administration had taken action against three students Abdullah, Iqbal Khan and Majid Ali.

He said the administration had cancelled cards of three students and directed them to submit an apology for holding the protest on the campus otherwise strict disciplinary action would be taken against them.

He said the administration also cancelled the event and demanded that the management stop hurling threats of disciplinary action to the students.

GCU Vice Chancellor Shazia Bashir told Dawn that all the demands of the students were accepted and the event was postponed.

She said no disciplinary action was taken against any of the students.

Published in Dawn, May 3rd, 2024