KARACHI:
A local university expelled two students who, while on campus, embraced and professed their love for each other. The video that went viral on social media shows the female student kneeling down, holding bouquets of flowers in front of a male student, as onlookers cheer them on and film the scene. The university said the pair had acted in violation of university rules while adding that the two students had failed to appear at a disciplinary hearing and were therefore expelled for serious infraction of the code of conduct.
In Pakistan, even though many women find it hard to defy tradition — with much of the society still operating under a strict code of honour — this female student felt the need to break the stereotype that men are the ones who are supposed to propose or profess their love. Unfortunately, we as a society continue to bar such actions in order to “keep women under control”. Many universities have banned female students from wearing jeans, tank tops or makeup while others regulate interactions between male and female students. Pakistan needs to do away with this authoritarian and patriarchal mindset if it wants to succeed in the modern world. Islam teaches us about love, compassion and respect.
Bahadur Kassaki
Turbat
Published in The Express Tribune, March 17th, 2021.
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