In the wake of the Indian cricket team’s heart-wrenching loss in the World Cup final, social media erupted with the trending hashtag #Panauti, reflecting the diverse sentiments of fans across the nation. The term “PANAUTI,” derived from Hindi, translates to “jinxed” or “cursed,” and Twitter users were quick to employ it to convey their disappointment and frustration.
A notable aspect of the online discourse was the blame game, with some Twitter users pointing fingers at none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They argued that Modi’s presence at the match, held in his home state of Gujarat, brought bad luck to the team. On the other side of the spectrum, critics directed their frustration towards the team’s performance, asserting that the players did not exhibit the prowess required for victory.
Numerous tweets utilizing the #Panauti hashtag portrayed a range of emotions. Some expressed a sense of disbelief and sorrow at India’s failure to secure the World Cup for the third consecutive time. Others defended the team, attributing the loss to sheer misfortune rather than any shortcomings in their skills.
The hashtag was not only a platform for venting disappointment but also became a conduit for humor, with users crafting jokes about Modi’s supposed jinx. One tweet even humorously suggested that Modi’s “panauti” extended to the weather, humorously blaming him for the rain during the match.
In a surprising turn of events, the #Panauti hashtag found its way into political discourse when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addressed an election rally in Jalore, Rajasthan. The crowd erupted into chants of “panauti-panauti,” prompting Gandhi to acknowledge the sentiment, stating, “Our boys would have won the World Cup Cricket, but Panauti made them lose.”
The longevity of the #Panauti trend on Twitter showcased the enduring passion that the people of India have for cricket. While the hashtag may have started as an expression of disappointment, it ultimately became a social media phenomenon, capturing the complex emotions of fans in the aftermath of a major sporting event.
