No clash in Punjab University on Holi, claims spokesperson

University administration dismisses reports of attack by IJT on Hindu students, rules out injury to any student

LAHORE:

The University of Punjab administration has denied that any clash took place between the Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT), a right-wing student organisation, and Hindu students who had gathered in the varsity on Monday to celebrate Holi.

The university also ruled out any of the students were injured, dismising reports of an attack by IJT on the Hindu students celebrating the festival.

A Punjab University spokesperson, speaking to The Express Tribune on Tuesday, denied that any clash took place in the university premises over the Holi celebration. He, however, admitted that there was a scuffle between the university guards when a group of Sindhi council students surrounded the vice-chancellor's office.

"Holi was celebrated with full zeal and festivity by the community members. Music was played along with all other activities. There was no obstruction created by anyone," spokesperson Khuram Shahzad said.

"Even if a single student received injury, please bring them forward," he said.

https://www.facebook.com/UniversityOfThePunjab.Official/posts/5938044882959468

The spokesperson remained adamant despite multiple video clips that had surfaced on social media in which a couple of students carrying clubs could be seen attacking other students in the presence of the university guards.

I strongly condemn this act of Punjab University Management upon the Hindu Sindhi Students who were celebrating their religious Holi Day, and at the same time exercising their basic right. Some Extremist students of jamiyat attacked on them.#stopextremisim pic.twitter.com/Sp9Kiz0v3o

— Younis Ali (@advunis66) March 6, 2023

In the video footage, Sindhi Council students are seen arguing with the Chief Security Officer (CSO) Colonel (retd) Obaid over obstruction and attack by IJT.

The Sindhi Council General Secretary Kashif Barohi can be heard in the video questioning the CSO "who was IJT to stop them?". To which, the CSO replies that "first you (Sindhi council) should be answerable for organising cake-cutting outside the allocated venue".

According to reports, the Hindu students were celebrating Holi at the campus when IJT members attacked them, leaving over a dozen students injured.

Narrating the incident, Sindhi Students Council Punjab University General Secretary Kashif Barohi claimed that a group of IJT members attacked and tortured them when their council members were gathering at the Law College ground to join Holi celebrations.

However, the PU spokesperson, narrating his side of the story, said a Muslim organisation established on ethnic grounds, referring to the Sindhi Students Council, has tried to "exploit" the situation to further their agenda.

He said that the administration had allowed the Hindu community members to celebrate Holi outside the gymnasium. However, the ethnic organisation members forcefully tried to change the venue and without informing the administration took the loudspeakers and other items to the Law College ground.

He said that the university guards and administration reached the spot where another Muslim student organisation, referring to the IJT, were busy in argumentation. He claimed that no fight or skirmish was reported at the location.

"The scuffle did occur but with university guards when members of the ethnic student organisations surrounded the VC office. Even in this clash, no student was injured," he claimed.

Human rights activists and organisations on social media have widely condemned the alleged attack on minorities at the campus, demanding strict action and ensuring a safe environment for them.