A disturbing video recently circulated on social media showing young children slapping the statue of Allama Muhammad Iqbal while their parents stood by. The footage quickly went viral, sparking widespread anger, sadness, and deep concern across the country. For many Pakistanis, the scene was painful to watch—not just because a national hero was disrespected, but because it reflected a much bigger problem about values, upbringing, and civic responsibility.
Allama Iqbal is not just a historical figure. He is the ideological father of Pakistan, a philosopher, poet, and thinker whose ideas helped shape the dream of an independent Muslim state. His poetry continues to inspire generations, teaching self-respect, faith, unity, and the courage to think freely. When children are seen disrespecting his statue, the act feels like a rejection of these values—but more importantly, it raises the question: who is responsible for teaching children what respect truly means?
Children are not born with hatred or disrespect. They learn behavior from their surroundings, especially from parents and elders. What they see at home, on the streets, and online shapes their understanding of right and wrong. In this incident, the most troubling part was not just the children’s actions, but the silence of the adults present. Parents are a child’s first teachers. When they fail to guide, correct, or explain, children grow up confused about values, boundaries, and respect.
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This incident also highlights a growing gap in civic education. Many children today know more about social media trends than about the people who built this country. Schools, families, and society as a whole share the responsibility of teaching history in a meaningful way—not as dry lessons to memorize, but as stories that help children understand identity, sacrifice, and purpose. Respect for national heroes is not about forced obedience; it is about understanding why these figures matter.
Social media reactions to the video were intense. Many users expressed anger and disappointment, while others called for legal action. However, punishment alone cannot fix a mindset problem. What we need is awareness. Parents must talk to their children, explain who Allama Iqbal was, and why mocking or disrespecting public symbols hurts collective dignity. Conversations at home can do more than any public condemnation.
There is also a need to reflect on how public spaces are treated. Statues, monuments, and national symbols represent shared history. Teaching children to respect these spaces is part of teaching them to respect society itself. When children learn empathy and responsibility early, they grow into citizens who care about their country and the people around them.
Media, too, has a role to play. Instead of only highlighting outrage, we must use such moments to educate and heal. Programs, school activities, and community discussions can help bridge the gap between generations. We must ask ourselves: are we passing on values, or just information?
