Punjab government decides to lift Basant ban and Twitter reactions are mixed

Punjab’s Minister for Information and Culture Fayazul Hasaan Chohan has announced that people across the province will celebrate Basant in February and Twitter is divided over the matter.

“Basant will be celebrated in Lahore in the second week of February,” Punjab’s information minister confirmed. He added that Basant is an ‘enormous economic activity’ and that it is a source of promoting tourism in the country.

Social Media has mixed reactions. Some believe that the restoration of Basant will open avenues for economic activity while others believe it is a bad move because the festival has cost 100s of precious lives in the past.

Here are reactions from people in favour of the decision

‘Good decision by the Punjab government’

#Basant is the joyous celebration of the coming of Spring and NEW LIFE erupts in myriads of color! Anyone who can't feel the Spring in his/her walk, the colors of life springing back after a dismal Winter, is dead inside. Celebrate life! Good decision by Punjab Government pic.twitter.com/VTMDJ1QVwF

— M Ali Sulehria (@alisulehria) December 18, 2018

Usama Khilji also seconds the move but says security measures must be ensured

This is great news! Basant is a beautiful festival that brings much needed entertainment and festivities – safety measures should be taken, but celebrations must continue! #Basant https://t.co/rFe1I7WTvk

— Usama Khilji (@UsamaKhilji) December 18, 2018

This user believes the same

Punjab govt announced to hold #Basant festival. No problem with celebrating a festival but let's hope they make sure the safety of people everywhere.

— Project Pakistan (@ProjectPak1947) December 18, 2018

‘Happy to have Basant back’

February in Punjab was incomplete without blaring music, flood lights and shouts of bo kata.

Happy to have basant back!

Besides, it’s also good news for the small kite industry that suffered a set back after the ban

#Basant pic.twitter.com/WJMpHaHgqd

— Asma Ali Zain (@asmaalizain) December 18, 2018

Here are reactions from those against it

‘You all will have to be responsible for a single life lost’

But keep in mind if a single life is lost due to this decision then you all will be responsible for that. If you people are ready to take this responsibility then whole Pakistan is ready to celebrate #Basant and congratulate you all. @ShabazGil @Fayazchohanpti @UsmanAKBuzdar https://t.co/u6Z7Q4zp3Z

— LHK 🇵🇰 (@Edwardian842) December 18, 2018

‘Will CM Buzdar ensure precious lives are not lost in the process?’

بسنت کی اجازت تو دے دی
کیا بزدار صاحب اس بات کی گارنٹی دیں گے کہ بسنت کی وجہ سے کوئ جانی نقصان نہیں ہو گا ؟ #Basant

— Patriot 🇵🇰 (@GroundReality_) December 18, 2018

‘Wrong decision’

Wrong decision😠😠#Basant pic.twitter.com/BKf6EtCHm2

— رباء🇵🇰 (@pak589) December 18, 2018

Basant was a widely celebrated festival across Pakistan before sharp string attached to the kites led to a loss of precious lives and the event was eventually banned in 2007.

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