Our sense of patriotism has degenerated: Shehzad Roy

With 2024 in its lateral stages, Pakistan celebrated its 77 years of Independence on August 14. Ladened with an array of festivities which had begun since the clock struck 12, the day was marked with a splash of green and white in the form of flags, pennants, musical harps, and bullets. A major form of celebration was aerial firing which was enjoyed as an activity by the youth and old alike.

While many proved their patriotism by mounting the Pakistani flag, some took it to the streets by randomly firing in all directions. Not much thought is put into the fate of the bullet, dipped in green for the added purpose of nationality, once it leaves the safety of the gun. Singer-songwriter and activist Shehzad Roy took to his Instagram Story to highlight the consequences of aerial firing.

Shehzad shared the case of a 30 year old woman who became the victim of a bullet fired in the name of a celebratory projection of patriotism when she went outside on her balcony. While the individual remains out of harm's way after a successful operation, it does make one wonder: Are there better ways to express the spirit of patriotism?

"On our Independence Day this year, a 30-year-old woman stepped out into her home's balcony, only to become a victim of someone's celebratory aerial fighting." The Laga Reh singer expressed his utmost disappointment to his viewers while questioning the true meaning behind celebrations of independence and their consequences.

"When she was operated today, a green-tipped bullet emerged from her arm. Very sad that this is what our sense of patriotism has degenerated into," he wrote.

Mass celebrations on historic days are commonplace all over the world. Unfortunately, in many areas of Pakistan, the means often endanger unsuspecting civilians and harmless fauna creatures. Although Shehzad makes an active effort to highlight one case, many go unreported within the broader expanse of the country every year.