Mumbai: In the backdrop of rising tensions between India and Pakistan, IIT-Bombay’s (IIT-B) annual science and technology festival, Techfest, will not see a contingent of Pakistani students participate for the same. The event will start on Friday.

The organisers of the three-day festival claimed that the Pakistani students have remained silent on the invitation, which was sent two months ago.

After initiating talks, Pakistani students have not responded to emails, as a result of which, security arrangements for their visit have not been made. We have assumed that they are not participating in the festival,” said Techfest coordinator Shubham Tibrewal.

The human resource development (HRD) ministry and consul of Pakistan to India facilitated the Pakistani students’ India visit to participate in the fest after two unsuccessful attempts over the past two years.

Mr Tibrewal, further added, “There was a time we were re-considering the invitation and had also got their re-confirmation that they were ready to come for the festival but suddenly they stopped replying to our repeated reminders via email. Hence, we cannot say that we have denied participation for the festival from our side. The uncertainty has made us assume that they are not comfortable coming India.”

In the past few days, rising tensions between the two countries at the border have created a storm, with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leaders warning Pakistani artistes and actors to leave India followed by actor Shah Rukh Khan meeting Raj Thackeray over release of his film Raees, as the movie features Pakistani artistes.  

Similarly, two years ago a band from Pakistan was invited for Techfest, but it was not able to perform due to fear of the crowds.

Techfest, has seen many international teams participate in various events but there have never been any teams from Pakistan.

As part of the Ummeed-e-Milap initiative started a few years back by Techfest to bring students from India and Pakistan closer, the former organising teams of the festival tried to bring Robowars teams for the finale.