Tag: Holi festival

  • Chutti Manao, Diwali Hai

    Chutti Manao, Diwali Hai

    The caretaker Sindh government has declared November 13 a public holiday for the Hindu community, marking the vibrant festival of Diwali.

    A notification issued by the provincial government confirmed the holiday, stating, “The Government of Sindh declares 13th November, 2023 (Monday) as Holiday for Hindu Community on the occasion of DIWALI for all Government offices, Autonomous Bodies, Semi-Autonomous Bodies, Corporations and Local Councils under the administrative control of Government of Sindh.”

    This decision by the Sindh government highlights a gesture of inclusivity and respect for the diverse religious festivities observed within the province.

    Moreover, provincial authorities had previously announced November 9 as a public holiday in honor of Iqbal Day, as per an official notification disseminated across various government departments.

    This measure aims to commemorate the influential legacy of Allama Iqbal, a renowned poet, philosopher, and politician, who played a pivotal role in shaping the ideological foundations of Pakistan.

  • HEC withdraws notification banning Holi

    The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has withdrawn a controversial ban on Holi celebrations in universities.

    A notification issued by HEC on Thursday stated that the commission is respectful of faith, religions, beliefs and the festivals associated with them.

    “Considering that the message inferred from the communication has regrettably led to misinterpretation, HEC is pleased to inform the same,” the notification added.

    On Tuesday, the Commission caused outrage when it banned Holi celebrations in educational institutes throughout the country, citing a deviation from the sociocultural values and Islamic identity of Pakistan.

    The notification read that students are prohibited from observing the festival to uphold sociocultural values.

    On Wednesday night, Salman Sufi, the head of Prime Minister’s Strategic Reform Unit, said in a tweet that HEC has been asked to withdraw the notification about banning Holi in universities.

    He wrote that he had spoken to Rana Tanveer Hussain, adding that he has asked HEC them to withdraw it.

    The decision came a few days after Holi celebrations were held on June 12 by students at Quaid-i-Azam University.

  • No Holi festival in universities anymore

    The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has banned Holi celebrations in educational institutes throughout the country, citing a deviation from the sociocultural values and Islamic identity of Pakistan. The notification regarding the ban was issued by HEC on Tuesday.

    According to the notification, students are prohibited from observing the festival to uphold sociocultural values.

    “While there is no denying the fact that cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity leads towards an inclusive and tolerant society, that profoundly respects all faiths and creeds; albeit it needs to be done so in a measured manner without going overboard. The students need to be apprised to be aware of the self-serving vested interests who use them for their own ends far from the altruistic critical thinking paradigm.”

    The decision comes a few days after Holi celebrations were held on June 12 by students at Quaid-i-Azam University. The notification, while referring to the event, said that “it has caused concern and has disadvantageously affected the country’s image.

  • ‘She didn’t make mutton for me’, Police arrest husband for complaining against wife

    ‘She didn’t make mutton for me’, Police arrest husband for complaining against wife

    A man has been arrested in India after he called the police to complain about his wife who did not cook meat (mutton) for him.

    According to media reports, Navin continuously called on the Police Helpline during the Holi festival on Friday to complain about his wife.

    As per the police, when Navin dialed the Police helpline for the first time on Holi, the police thought that it was a prank call. However, police helpline staff got suspicious after he made six calls and they reported the incident to their superiors.

    Police high officials decided to take immediate action against him. The next morning the police tracked him down and arrested him.

    According to the police, Navin came into the house in drunk condition on Friday night and brought mutton for cooking. He asked his wife to cook mutton for him, but she refused after which he picked up the phone and called the police.

    The case was filed against him under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) 290 and 510 but he was later released after a warning.