Violence erupts as IJT activists attack Hindu students celebrating Holi at PU
LAHORE: The celebration of the Holi festival at Punjab University’s new campus took a violent turn on Monday when activists from the Islami Jamiat Tulba (IJT) attacked a gathering of students from the Hindu community.
The attackers allegedly carried guns and batons, and videos circulating on social media showed them beating and chasing the students. At least 15 students were injured in the attack, and an application was filed with the police to register a case against the attackers.
According to Sindh Council General Secretary Kashif Brohi, the Hindu community and the council had obtained permission from the university administration to hold the Holi celebration, but the IJT activists had threatened violence after seeing invitations on Facebook.
The attack took place in the morning when the students gathered to celebrate outside the law college.
After the attack, the students gathered to protest outside the vice-chancellor’s office, but the security guards prevented them from recording their peaceful protest. The guards also bundled four to five students into their vans. An application was submitted to the administration and police to register a case against the IJT activists and security guards for torturing the students.
The IJT spokesperson, Ibrahim Shahid, denied that they had stopped the Hindu community members from celebrating Holi, saying that the attackers might have used their name.
He also said that the IJT was committed to ensuring equality for minority community members to hold their religious events.
The PU spokesperson, while talking with media persons, said that disciplinary action would be taken against the students involved in attacking minority community members. The students suffered minor injuries in the clash. The security staff denied attacking the students and said they were trying to stop the youngsters from approaching the VC office.
