Finally, the suspense is over as France won the FIFA World Cup by defeating Croatia. However, Kiran Bedi’s tweet congratulating France drew ire from Netizens. Had she simply congratulated, there would have been no issues but the way she mentioned Puduchery in the topic didn’t go well with netizens.
Kiran Bedi is currently the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry. After France won, she tweeted, “We the Puducherrians (erstwhile French Territory) won the World Cup. Congratulations Friends. What a mixed team-all French. Sports unites.We in Puducherry wanted France to win d #WorldCup as d UT of Puducherry has a very memorable historical bond with #France. Thousands of Puducherrians have maintained close ties with France. France also generously supports Puducherry in several ways”
The reference to Puducherry as an erstwhile French colony did not go down well with several people. By going her logic, India should celebrate whenever and wherever England wins any major trophy or cup. To be frank, there was no need of dragging “Pondichery” into the topic. Netizens criticized her comments and asked her “We are Indians Madam. Your publicity stunts need to stop..”
We the Puducherrians (erstwhile French Territory) won the World Cup.
???? Congratulations Friends.
What a mixed team-all French.
Sports unites.— Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) July 15, 2018
For those who are interested in a bit of history:
Even though British gave independence to India, the French and Portuguese-owned settlements in India were still under colonial rule. Pondicherry was under France and Goa was under Potugese rule. The people of these settlements were eager to join their newly liberated mother country, India. Indian government had to do prolonged negotiations with these countries for merging them into India. The French authorities were reasonable and after prolonged negotiations handed over Pondicherry and other French possessions to India in 1954. Portuguese were determined to stay and they had US and Britain’s support. People of Goa revolted against Portuguese government but the revolt was suppressed. Finally Nehru ordered Indian troops to march into Goa in1961 and then governor of Goa surrendered.
