In this era of social media, news no longer remains just news; rather, it transforms into a battlefield within moments. Here, everyone seems to be sitting not with a pen in their hand, but with a judge's gavel ready to pass a verdict. Whether someone receives respect, achieves success, or is bestowed with an honor, long before the flowers of congratulations can bloom, the thorns of criticism, sarcasm, ridicule, and character assassination begin to sprout. This is exactly what happened when Pakistan's renowned singer and social activist, Hadiqa Kiani, was awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz.
It was an occasion for joy. It was an honor for an artist who has touched people's hearts with her voice for years, introduced Pakistani music to the world, and served humanity during difficult times. Whether it was floods, natural disasters, or people in need, Hadiqa Kiani always emerged as a deeply empathetic human being. But perhaps in our society, it is no longer possible to let a joyous moment simply remain joyous.
The news broke, and it was as if a storm had hit Facebook. Everyone assumed the role of a judge. Some questioned why she received it; others started listing the names of other artists. Some linked it to politics, some found a religious angle, and some even treated it as an opportunity for personal attacks. It felt as though an artist hadn't received an award, but rather a crime had been committed.
The greatest misfortune of social media is that everyone is constantly trying to prove themselves an intellectual. People are more interested in reacting instantly to news than in understanding it. As soon as new information arrives, the race for views, likes, and shares begins. Everyone wants their post to be the most viral, even if it means sacrificing someone's dignity.
Tragically, in all this noise, the actual subject gets lost. Instead of congratulating Hadiqa Kiani, men stepped into the arena with their vulgarity and women with their bitterness. Filthy comments, personal attacks, sarcastic remarks, character assassination... everything was done so ruthlessly that it leaves one astounded. No one was willing to consider that the woman they were writing all this about is also a human being. She too has a heart, feelings, self-respect, and a family. What must she go through when she reads all of this?
We often forget that behind the screens of social media, there are living, breathing human beings. We write a post and move on, but those words leave a lasting wound in someone's heart. Sometimes, a single sentence shatters a person's years of hard work, confidence, and peace of mind. But alas, we no longer care about the feelings of others.
This issue is not limited to Hadiqa Kiani alone. In our society, every successful woman falls victim to this exact attitude. If a woman stands out, achieves a position, or becomes popular among the masses, her character is immediately targeted. Discussions begin about her clothes, her voice, her face, her relationships, and even her personal affairs. It is as if a woman's success is simply indigestible to many in our society.
Social media was actually a powerful tool. Its purpose was to bring people closer, share information, and foster positive dialogue. But we have turned it into a marketplace of hatred, jealousy, sarcasm, and ridicule. In the past, if someone misbehaved in a gathering, people would silence them. Now, on social media, the more bitter, controversial, and toxic the content, the more popularity it gains. This is why many people deliberately create controversies just to make their posts go viral.
This situation is not just harmful to individuals but is dangerous for the entire society. The younger generation is watching all of this. They are learning that mocking someone is a sign of intelligence, assassinating someone's character is freedom of speech, and dragging someone's honor through the mud is entertainment. If this continues, our society will fall prey to even more intolerance, hatred, and apathy in the future.
We need to understand that disagreement and misbehavior are not the same thing. You can disagree with someone's viewpoint or question a decision, but decency and politeness are essential for that. If there is no respect in our language, then our education, our intellect, and our claims are all meaningless.
Hadiqa Kiani received the Sitara-e-Imtiaz. Some liked the decision, others did not. But we should have had at least enough grace to congratulate a Pakistani artist. Even if criticism was necessary, it should have been done in a civilized manner. But sadly, we have proven once again that we possess an extraordinary ability to turn every joyous occasion into a controversy.
Today, there is a dire need for us to seriously reflect on our use of social media. We must think about what we are spreading in society through our words: love or hatred? Awareness or chaos? Respect or ridicule? Because words never perish. They either become a beacon of hope for someone or leave a lasting wound in someone's heart.
If we truly want to become a civilized nation, we must learn to accept the success of others. We must understand that not every disagreement is won with abuse. And above all, we must remember that behind every line written on social media, there is a human being whose heart also feels the pain.
Otherwise, this social media will continue to stir up a new storm every day, and we will keep watching our own culture, tolerance, and humanity drown.