LAHORE – The Lahore College for Women University (LCWU) administration adopted a unique way this year to bar students from celebrating the Valentines Day and suspended all academic activities on Monday.
According to sources, the step was taken to stop students from coming to the college and celebrate the Valentines Day, as it was the only way to stop excited students. The LCWU administration, in order to divert the attention of girls from the Valentines Day, arranged an annual remuneration and advised students to join healthier activities instead of celebrating the Valentines Day.
LCWU students condemned the administration for suspending all academic activities at the campus, alleging that the administration is supporting extremism by suspending classes on the Valentines Day. Every year, the varsity administration to the dismay of students adopts measures against the Valentines Day. Last year, the administration closed gates and appointed guards to stop students from celebrating the Valentines Day.
‘No girls allowed’: This year, the administration closed all classes and instructed the watchmen not to allow girls to enter the college while a notice from the varsity’s registrar was also displayed at the main gate that classes will be not held today and students of BS honours, Masters and PhD should come to the college at 3pm for participating in the annual remuneration.
‘Parents shall be responsible’: According to sources, the administration also advised guards to inform parents that today classes will not be held and they would be responsible themselves if any girl disappears from the varsity. A LCWU official scolded girls carrying flowers or cakes in their hands and advised them to leave. Students were worried to see the notice at the gate and condemned administration, as most of them came to the varsity from flung areas of the city by the local transport.
A student, seeking anonymity, said that the administration supported the Islami Jamiat-e-Talba (IJT), which was campaigning against the Valentines Day. She said that usually girls celebrate the day by cutting cakes or exchanging flowers at the varsity but the administration has deprived us of all celebrations. LCWU Communication Advisor Dr Anjum Zia said that the administration held annual remuneration and had informed students in this regard.
Separately, students of various colleges including the Kinnaird College, APWA College, Queen Marry College and others celebrated the Valentines Day with a lot of zeal by cutting red cakes and giving gifts to their friends and also arranged special lunches with their friends. At the Punjab University, the IJT celebrated the Valentines Day as Youm-e-Haya but students were also seen wearing red dresses and sitting in lawns.
