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Valentine’s Day, an occasion of love and peace all around the world, where one human often shows their adoration towards the opposite sex, in a bid to proclaim their love and feelings in a subtle manner. Gifts, roses and heartfelt cards are often exchanged on this particular day, which the whole world celebrates with excitement.
However, in Pakistan, nothing ever goes in a conventional manner. The country being an Islamic Republic, is often loath to celebrating Valentine’s Day and the forced ‘vulgarity’ that comes with it. Even the government of Pakistan had banned Valentine’s Day celebrations across the country.
Previously, there have been incidents where couples have been tormented in public, asked about their nikah-namas and in universities, male students have been beaten for hanging around girls or sitting quietly in corners, for whatever reason.
One such university in Pakistan, also one of the biggest in the country, is Punjab University. PU is famous for its conservative environment and political organizations and their wings in the vicinity have kept a stronghold, not allowing students to mingle with the opposite sex, especially when it comes to Valentine’s Day.
Yesterday, on 14th August, 2018, students in large numbers at the Punjab University carried out a march/protest against the Western celebrations of Pakistanis. Hundreds of students took part in the parade which celebrated the ‘Haya Walk’. The activity was started by Islami Jamiat Taliba at PU and both men and women supported the cause in large numbers.
On account of 14th February Islami Jamiat Talba Pu Organised Haya Walk in University premises
Thousands Of Students Participated #HayaDay #jamiat_pu pic.twitter.com/OYC4ywNGAL— Islami Jamiat Talba Punjab University (@jamiat_pu_) February 14, 2018
The ‘Walk of Shame’ as it is referred to, will be a yearly ritual for the students of the university and is even open to outsiders. The overwhelming response, especially that of women, raised the sentiments of the public and many others joined in too.
In Pakistan, the culture of dating between young couples is seen as a taboo, as it is completely against the teachings of our religion. However, the overwhelming globalization has affected the population in more ways than one can imagine. The modern sector of the masses, believes in freedom of will and speech, which would allow the two sexes to mingle with each other and hang out in public, as per their will.
The conservative sector is totally against that particular proposition and does not support the celebration of Western days and generally, the friendship between a young man and a woman.
