Lahore: Kinnaird College for Women has clarified that the event featuring playwright Khalilur Rehman Qamar, which was called off last week reportedly following backlash by students over Qamar's problematic views, was 'postponed' and not cancelled.
Talking to Naya Daur, a member of Kinnaird's Centre for Learning and Cultural Development said that the session with Qamar was postponed because he excused himself due to other commitments, but the event will be rescheduled soon. In response to a question, the representative said that there had been no backlash within the college over the event, and that students were excited for the said event.
However, several students Naya Daur spoke to, who wished to be anonymous, said that they lodged their protest against the event when the event was announced on social media. The students were of the opinion that an all-girls college should not host an individual who has been making misogynistic remarks on social media.
The college’s Centre for Learning and Cultural Development had organised an event featuring Khalilur Rehman Qamar and director Agha Jarar which was scheduled to be held on Wednesday, but it was cancelled after the students criticised the organisers for ignoring Qamar’s misogynistic remarks and the controversial portrayal of women in his plays.
Meray Paas Tum Ho’, a controversial play written by Qamar whose last episode aired on Saturday, has been criticised by several quarters for its anti-women content.
Talking to Naya Daur, a member of Kinnaird's Centre for Learning and Cultural Development said that the session with Qamar was postponed because he excused himself due to other commitments, but the event will be rescheduled soon. In response to a question, the representative said that there had been no backlash within the college over the event, and that students were excited for the said event.
However, several students Naya Daur spoke to, who wished to be anonymous, said that they lodged their protest against the event when the event was announced on social media. The students were of the opinion that an all-girls college should not host an individual who has been making misogynistic remarks on social media.
The college’s Centre for Learning and Cultural Development had organised an event featuring Khalilur Rehman Qamar and director Agha Jarar which was scheduled to be held on Wednesday, but it was cancelled after the students criticised the organisers for ignoring Qamar’s misogynistic remarks and the controversial portrayal of women in his plays.
Meray Paas Tum Ho’, a controversial play written by Qamar whose last episode aired on Saturday, has been criticised by several quarters for its anti-women content.