If you look at most Asian or Indian societies at university campused across Britain, you will notice that Diwali celebrations usually feature prominently in the annual schedule of activities. And what is done in these Diwali celebrations? Often merely a club night, or for the more creative societies, a show followed by an after-party. What do the shows consist of? Cat walks, hip-hop, RnB and Bollywood dances, a couple of Karate or Kung-fu displays and… well that's pretty much it. Of course many people take it as an opportunity to get drunk, and there will be an after party of some sort, that is the same as any other club night that most students go to three or four times a week.

A student who suggests some type of cultural input into the show, like a play or musical enacting the stories underlying Diwali is marginalized from the organisation of the show. Why? Because according to the 'pan-Asian doctrine', cultural input may offend members of other faiths who turn up to the show.

It should be noted that the greater assertiveness of other Asian faith groups means that festivals like Eid or Vaisakhi are very rarely if ever given this type of treatment, through which they are stripped of their significance.

I am not suggesting that Diwali celebrations should be puritanical, which isn't how Diwali has ever been celebrated anyway, traditionally being a festival of light and jubilance.

It is not just especially religious Hindus who express a similar sentiment regarding Diwali shows and parties. I remember at my own university, after every annual Diwali event, numerous Hindus around campus would say something along the lines of: "It was quite good, but why are the organisers so culture-phobic." There is also the general feeing that some of the content in such shows is rather vulgar to be included in a Diwali show.

Of course Diwali celebrations are meant to be fun - but why do our Diwali celebrations have to be stripped of any deeper meaning or culture, instead being turned it into nothing more than fashion shows and club nights?