Bacha Khan University in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has expelled four pharmacy students after they performed the Indian national anthem during the university’s annual festival, sparking nationwide criticism. The viral videos of the performance circulated on social media, prompting protests and calls for strict disciplinary action from student organizations and the public.
The students, including Jibran Riaz, stated that the performance was meant purely for entertainment and not intended to show political sympathies.
Riaz said, “It was no different from students performing or listening to foreign music at university events.” Despite this explanation, the university’s disciplinary committee reviewed the matter and recommended expulsion to maintain national cohesion and prevent unrest.
Following the decision, the administration canceled the students’ hostel allotments and directed them to vacate the premises immediately. The university emphasized that such actions on campus, especially when recorded and shared online, could threaten national solidarity.
This incident highlights growing sensitivities around national symbols in Pakistani universities and the impact of social media in shaping public opinion on campus activities.
Bacha Khan University, located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, hosts annual cultural and academic festivals. While students often perform songs and skits from around the world, performing a foreign national anthem, particularly India’s, triggered strong reactions due to historical and political tensions between the two countries. The university’s swift action reflects a strict stance on protecting national sentiments and public image.
