Overview

• Dawood University of Engineering and Technology in Karachi issued show-cause notices to students for celebrating Holi on campus without administrative approval.
• The university clarified that the incident was an old case and denied reports of FIRs being filed against the students.
• Lal Malhi, a former parliamentarian, criticized the action as part of a broader trend of criminalizing minority religious practices in Pakistan.
• Student groups affiliated with Islamist parties have historically opposed cultural celebrations, leading to tensions and occasional violence on campuses.
• The incident highlights ongoing challenges faced by Pakistan's Hindu minority, including discrimination, forced conversions, and limited legal protections.