Every year, New York hosts a HUGE Choda August mela of sorts. The city goes green and white with patriotism heavy in the air. This year, Atif Aslam was set to perform at the parade, however, people are now having issues with his song choice for the event.
Apparently, the singer sang a song he recorded for a Bollywood movie.
‘Saraapa Ehtijaaj’? Really? If you think about, it isn’t a huge crime but then again people are pretty sensitive when it comes to nationalism and Pakistani pride.
Some people were actually mad about the whole thing
Atif Aslam is Aunty Gormint?
The singer was even diagnosed with memory loss issues
It seems like nationalistic sentiment was on an all-time high
SentiMENTAL hagaye thay log
It was refreshing to see some people logically think through this issue
Pakistani singer Shafqat Amanat Ali came out in support of Atif Aslam
I stand in support with @itsaadee for singing his songs at the parade. Music is not Indian or Pakistani. It is just music! Singers r synonymous with their songs which r loved equally by fans from every country. Should have briefed him if they wanted national songs #AtifAslam
— Shafqat Amanat Ali (@ShafqatAmanatA) August 7, 2018
Even here, a debate was started on the basis of nationalism, pride and self esteem
Our artists have been repeatedly humiliated, embarrassed n disgraced all across India. Evidently, they have drawn boundaries for our art n artists. But despite all this, our artists in the garb of "art has no boundaries" continue to lick their feet. Show Some Self Esteem Please
— Azhar M Khan (@AzharMKhan3) August 7, 2018
Of course, there will people who were just calling them names
shame on you for standing shoulder to shoulder with him.u guys are money worshipers.cant compromise on your monetary interests.shame shame
— Mumtaz Rizvi (@MommeRizvi) August 7, 2018
The argument that the show was a show for Pakistan’s Independence Day and the songs should have been Pakistani.
Sir concert independence Day ka ho tb to bndy ko khyal rakhna chahiye
Manta hun music ki koi boundary nhi hoti but kuch days hoty jab bndy ko sb dekhna parta
14 Aug ko ap Vandy matram gao gy kya ??— Zain Ali (@xainaliabid5) August 7, 2018
Support for Atif, surprisingly, was unwavering
Kis kitaab mai likha gaya hai yeh mat gaawo…Tum logu ne pak ka naam kharab kiya…Atif ne hamesha pak ko represent kiya…Love from kashmir…#I_stand_with_Atif
— Ś å h ı ľ (@itsaadee70) August 8, 2018
A lot of voices advocated for others to CHILL OUT
This mentality which both of our countries 🇮🇳🇵🇰 have need to restrain down soon if we actually want to progress and proceed towards a developed nation. At least let Music be free,pure and a key towards a better world.
— Md Amíìr Raza (@MdAmirRaza1) August 7, 2018
Music is definitely universal, and it should be kept that way
Exactly sir! Music is one of the most superior forms of prayer..and every religion pray..so music is universal! Dividing it based on religion and countries is detrimental to world peace 🙏🏻
— Leena Adhikari Sengupta (@Leena_asansol) August 7, 2018
We have the habit of finding nationalistic tones in almost everything, especially when it comes to India. Every year, these discussions happen and this ‘controversies’ arise, but it has honestly just gotten out of hand. I can understand how and why people were offended by him singing a Bollywood song, but isn’t it high time we grow out of this loop we always go into, especially in August.
What do you think of all this? Let us know in the comments 🙂 Sometimes it’s just better to talk about, rather than just spewing out hate.