Celebratory firing

THE dangerous practice of celebratory firing has once again turned joyous occasions into tragedies, claiming lives and leaving families shattered. Over the past month, three harrowing incidents in Punjab and Haryana highlight the grave consequences of this reckless tradition. In Charkhi Dadri, Haryana, a 13-year-old girl tragically lost her life while her mother sustained injuries during a wedding procession. In Punjab’s Ferozepur, a bride was critically injured when her brother accidentally fired a pistol during the vidai ceremony. An incident in Amritsar left a woman with a bullet wound at a wedding resort.

These senseless tragedies underline the urgent need for decisive action, and the Sarv Jatiya Athgama Khap Panchayat’s recent decision to ban celebratory firing is a welcome step. The ban, imposed after the teenage girl’s death in, reflects the khap’s commitment to eliminating social evils. Its resolution includes reporting offenders to the police, imposing fines and even enforcing social boycotts, signalling zero tolerance for this dangerous practice. Crucially, the khap has also announced plans for awareness campaigns about the risks of celebratory firing. Such initiatives are vital for changing public attitudes and dismantling the normalisation of gun use at weddings. Communities across Punjab and Haryana must follow the khap’s example, showing a collective resolve to end this deadly custom.

While grassroots efforts are crucial, the responsibility also lies with authorities. The Supreme Court has repeatedly emphasised the illegality and dangers of celebratory firing, calling it a “reckless endangerment of lives” and ruling that such acts should attract charges of culpable homicide. Gun regulations must be strictly enforced and violators should face swift legal action. Additionally, gun licensing norms should mandate education on safety protocols to prevent misuse. Society must unite to ensure that festive occasions remain moments of happiness, free from the shadow of preventable mishaps.