Shameless Culture! Anger Netizens React To Quaid-e-Azam University Holi Celebration

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What’s the current hot debate? Politics? No, it’s Quaid-e-Azam University viral Holi celebration video and images that caught everyone’s attention.

Pakistan is a diverse country where every religious practices take place and people celebrate their festivals. But whenever non-Muslims decides to be part of other religious celebration things don’t work as per the expectations.

Quaid-i-Azam University stokes outrage over blasting Holi event
Source: Daily Pakistan

The same goes for the Quaid-e-Azam University Holi celebration incident where people have been divided into two groups, one is supporting and other turned out to be Anti-Hindu.

Holi is considered as the “biggest Holi celebration in Pakistan,” and received both praise and criticism from the people.

Watch Pakistani University's colourful Holi celebrations: 'A heartwarming sight' | Trending News,The Indian Express
Source: Indian Express

It grabbed everyone’s attention when the official page for news for the university shared a video in which students dancing their hearts out and overwhelmed. “Holi celebrations in Quaid-I-Azam University Islamabad, Pakistan. Biggest Holi celebration in Pakistan,” it read.

Netizens Angry On Quaid-e-Azam University Holi

Microblogging site Twitter received mixed reactions from the people. Some saw it as a positive step towards fostering tolerance and acceptance, others viewed it as an erosion of Pakistan’s Islamic identity.

Praising it as a step towards promoting cultural diversity and inclusivity on campus, a user wrote, “Good to see Quaid-I-Azam University showing the true representation of Quaid-I-Azam’s Pakistan.” Another took a sigh of relief to see academia as a tolerant space. “We need more cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity in academia to make it a more inclusive and tolerant society,” they wrote.

Another called the celebration “something hopeful happening” in the country for a change.

Another user wrote, “Joy, tolerance, and colors at Qau-good done Mehran council! Council must protect these precious spaces through inclusivity, female leadership, and sensitivity towards those who don’t want to partake. @QAU_Official can help by designating common areas and pro-student guidelines.”

Criticism & Anger Reaction

On the other hand, several users found it discontent, criticizing the celebration of Holi during “Pride Month.”

One user questioned the timing, and wrote, “Celebrating #Holi three months after the event, especially in Pride month. What are we trying to prove?” The individual implied that the event might be an attempt to pander to different communities simultaneously.

The controversy also raised comparisons to other universities in Pakistan. A tweep wrote, “Good to remember that it’s the ethnic councils that keep Jamiat away from all this at QAU. Perhaps the only state university in Pakistan that can have Holi celebrations on campus. The others can’t even hold a cultural day without Jamiat goons interrupting it.”

A user noted that the “backlash” would have been “10000x more” if the event was being celebrated at a private university like LUMS.

Others also questioned why only men were dancing in the video and no women could be seen anywhere. “May we see more women joining in these celebrations as freely as men, and may QAU remain a peaceful and joyous space for young people always!” read a tweet.

Holi is not only celebrated by the universities but even Pakistani celebrities are also indulged in it such as Maya Ali who threw a Holi-themed party.

Shameless Culture

Some even called it the “shameless culture”, some users found it “disheartening” to see a pagan culture being “glorified” in a country built on Islamic grounds.

“There’s no turning back for Pakistan,” read a tweet. Another user called it the inferiority complex of Pakistanis.

“Inferiority-complexed Pakistanis have always wronged the idea of coexistence. It means acceptance of people with different religions not adopting their religion it’s subjective to their population if there are only 2 or 3 Hindu students in the university, and the entire university shouldn’t go nuts.”

One user pointed out a hypothetical view on how Hindus in India celebrate Muslim festivals. “Wonder if Hindus in India could ever celebrate Muslim festivals like this. If it ever happened, one common thing will be the reaction of pandits, just like the maulvis giving fatwa on Twitter here.”

No doubt, for Pakistani awaam Holi celebration, is a step towards a progressive scenario.

See More: Celebrating Holi – A Step Towards A Progressive And Tolerant Pakistan!

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