As Pakistani social media continues to throw up subjects with a tendency towards going viral, recently it was the turn of a couple from University of Lahore, who were expelled from the institution over Public Display of Affection (PDA). 

In a video, a girl was scene proposing to a guy in the private university on the eve of February 14. The video went viral, with social media buzzing with comments and opinions either against the gesture, or in favor of ‘letting the love live’. 

However, it could be observed that the vast majority of the posts on the subject were antagonistic. And hence, it wasn’t surprising that the university administration decided to expel both the students. 

According to a letter by the university, the students were “involved in gross misconduct and violation of University rules”. The university further said that both students were summoned for a meeting but did not appear. “As per Section 16 […] they are debarred from entering the premises of University of Lahore and all its sub-campuses,” the letter further read. Meanwhile, social media were seen bashing the couple to the extent that the boy had to issue a statement, urging the people not to target the girl in the clip. 

Furthermore, the decision by the university faced opposition and criticism from activists and politicians.

“A country where pedophiles are defended and protected in the name of child marriage and converting religion of little girls, we are uncomfortable with two consenting adults expressing love for each other,” noted social activist Jibran Nasir. He further said that we reduce our so-called morals to a joke every day. 

Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Science, Fawad Chaudhry also criticised the university’s decision. “Every girl has the right to marry of her own will. Marriage by choice is one of the central rights Islam gives to women,” he said adding that the university should reconsider its decision and that it is against the teachings of Islam to consider girl as a property. After much criticism on the issue, Ministry of Human Rights also took the notice and asked the university to readmit the students. 

Ministry of Human Rights Parliamentary Secretary Lal Chand Malhi called the university’s decision as “over reaction” and asked it to re-admit the students. “The university's action is ‘moral policing’ and it should instead be regulated through counseling. However, such services are mostly not provided by university administrations,” Lal said.

In a letter, the ministry further wrote: "Both the girl and the boy did not commit such a heinous crime for which they were punished severely and expelled from the university. This would destroy their career and future education opportunities.” 

The secretary further noted that the committee formed by the university did not have a female member, despite the fact that there was a female involved in the incident. Lal further stated that the extreme punishment by the institution is against the rules of justice and would have very negative repercussions for the society. The letter further mentioned that a dominant part of Pakistani society is of youth, hence, the university should take the thinking of this youth in consideration. 

By the look of letter and direction by the ministry, it seems that the love has finally won. However, there is no response by the university as yet. Meanwhile, in a society like Pakistan, it would be a really long road for the couple in eyes of public and their fellow students. 

Experts note that in a society, where “norms and culture” hold a vital position, it would be hard for such actions to be accepted because we like to meddle in others’ matters because it is considered “our duty to correct others”.