Several city colleges like Mount Carmel College, Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat and St Joseph's Commerce College have decided not to allow students to celebrate Holi inside the campuses.

According to students, Chitrakala Parishat has decided to ban Holi celebrations within the campus citing water shortage. College authorities also said that the move was to protect any damage to precious art work housed in the campus.

Other colleges such as Mount Carmel have clarified that students are not allowed to celebrate inside the campus, however they are free to celebrate outside.

No ban at CKP
However, Tejendra Singh Banoi, principal, Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath said no such ban had been imposed.

“We have not imposed any such restrictions. We are concerned about the paintings and sculptures on the premises. Even students are aware of how important these art works are and know well how to preserve it. They are responsible students and need not be told. They can play Holi as long as the property and art work are kept in mind," he added.

Students of several other private colleges also voiced similar complaints. When DH checked with private colleges, they mostly said that they would have no objection to students playing Holi outside the campus. "We just don't want the property damaged," said a PU private college representative.