The viral videos from Pakistan’s Independence Day celebrations shocked many. Clips of young men throwing bottles and fighting over cakes flooded social media. Critics quickly blamed the entire country, claiming Pakistanis lack basic civic sense. But this kind of chaotic behavior happens worldwide. Large, excited crowds can get rowdy, but the troublemakers do not represent the whole nation.
When thousands gather, a “crowd mentality” takes over. Individuals lose their personal sense of responsibility. This happens anywhere when excitement meets a lack of crowd control:
United Kingdom: London’s Notting Hill Carnival regularly ends with arrests and street fights. English football fans also frequently vandalise public property after major matches.
Leadership Failure
We must also look at the root causes rather than just mocking the behavior. For decades, political leaders have failed to prioritize public education, spending a critically low percentage of GDP on schools. When the state fails to teach civic manners, we cannot expect perfect public discipline.
The Hypocrisy of the Privileged Class
The privileged who attended elite private schools are quick to label these youth as “illiterate.” It is unfair to mock the masses for lacking manners when the system denied them a proper education. True civic sense is taught, not inherited.
Management, Not National Identity
Bad behavior by a few does not mean an entire population is uncivilised. It is a universal challenge of crowd management, not a cultural flaw. Pakistan needs better event planning and stronger law enforcement, but these viral clips should not overshadow the millions who celebrated peacefully and with respect.