Karachi students form human chain outside temple to protect Hindus celebrating Holi

National Student Federation form a human shield outside Swami Narayan Temple, Light House in Karachi


Zehra Husain March 05, 2015
PHOTO: NATIONAL STUDENTS FEDERATION SINDH

KARACHI: A day after Sindh University students from the Hindu community were stopped for celebrating Holi, the National Student Federation displayed a heart-rending gesture to show solidarity with the minority community.

The student organisation formed a human shield outside Swami Narayan Temple, Light House, in Karachi as people celebrate Holi at the grand temple.


PHOTO: NSF

"If the State cannot provide protection to minority communities, the public has to take a stand," Central Organiser NSF Khurram Ali told The Express Tribune.

Amid increasing cases of violence and lack of security against their community, many Hindu families from Balochistan and Sindh have decided to migrate to India.

Read: Persecution forces 60 Hindu families to migrate to India

"Previously, members of minority communities used to come out and protest alone but with so much intolerance in society, the general public needs to join minority communities," Khurram said.


PHOTO: NSF

"This way, all religious groups will stand united and show their dissent against the state."


PHOTO: NSF

Earlier, a bunch of students at the Sindh University (SU) were manhandled by private security guards after some teachers complained they were creating nuisance on the premises.

According to associate professor and philosophy department chairperson Amar Sindhu, a couple of students came to her and complained that they have been roughed up. One of the boys had his shirt torn, she said.

Initially under the impression that the students were stopped from celebrating Holi, Sindhu called up the varsity’s security chief Ghulam Nabi Kaka. “He told me that they [guards] received a complaint from some teachers of the arts faculty that a few boys are creating nuisance in the faculty’s garden,” she told The Express Tribune. “He added that the guards went there to control the situation.”

Read: On varsity premises: Students manhandled as guards try to avoid clash

Holi, the festival of colours, is a riotous celebration of the coming of spring and falls on the day after full moon annually in March. Revellers spray coloured powder and water on each other with great gusto, whilst adults extend the hand of peace.

Here are some pictures of Holi being celebrated in different parts of the country:



Hindus celebrate the Holi festival at Swami Laxmi Narayan Temple in Karachi. PHOTO: YUSRA SALIM/EXPRESS

 

Children celebrating Holi in Karachi. PHOTO: ONLINE

 

People in Quetta celebrating Holi, also known as the Spring Festival of Colours. PHOTO: INP

 

A little girl thoroughly enjoys being splattered with colour. PHOTO: ONLINE

 



Swami Narayan Temple in Karachi. PHOTO: YUSRA SALIM/EXPRESS

COMMENTS (35)

maqsood ali | 9 years ago | Reply @Pakistani Hindu: In india a muslim a hindu a christian live side by side peacefully.We go to each other places in every festival..All of us celebrate each festival like our own ..exhange wishes..alas u dont live in india so its hard for u to believe this..
Indian | 9 years ago | Reply @Pakistani Hindu Muslims in India, unlike Hindus in Pakistan are a very large community, and they celebrate their festivals without any fear at all. Ask any Indian Muslim.
VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ