On February 13, 2026, Bacha Khan University Charsadda, expelled four students for performing the Indian national anthem during a university festival.

As part of a musical segment at the annual two-day festival, two pharmacy students performed “Jana Gana Mana.” A video of the performance quickly went viral, provoking outrage among some students who characterized the performers as disloyal to Pakistan.

Following the backlash, the university administration expelled four students: the two performers and two others involved in organizing the segment. Citing violations of university and hostel regulations, the administration alleged that the performance was conducted in a manner that could “create unrest and harm national unity.”

Scholars at Risk is concerned about the expulsion of students in apparent retaliation for the peaceful exercise of the rights to freedom of expression – conduct that is expressly protected by international human rights instruments including the Universal Declaration for Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Pakistan is a party. University authorities have a responsibility to refrain from restricting or retaliating against nonviolent expressive activity, so long as that activity is undertaken peacefully and responsibly. In addition to the harm to the immediate victim, disciplinary measures aimed at limiting expressive activity undermines academic freedom and democratic society generally.

Sources:
https://x.com/mefaheem/status/2022651133651751214?s=46&t=dOAjqFnMvAVUog9fBqfKlA
https://theoutlinemedia.com/17031/
https://dailytimes.com.pk/1451887/four-students-expelled-from-bku-charsadda-over-anti-state-activity/
https://news.abplive.com/news/world/national-unity-or-intolerance-students-expelled-in-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-for-singing-india-s-anthem-1827122
https://propakistani.pk/2026/02/16/university-in-kp-expels-students-for-singing-indian-national-anthem/