Indian politicians are never behind in spreading superstition. But for Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, who takes pride in being “rational and secular,” to join the list shows ideological standings and principles are just a convenient narrative to stand apart from the rest. In a new low, Gandhi chose to legitimise the term ‘Panauti’—bad omen—which was trending on social media site X after India’s loss to Australia in the World Cup final on 19 November.
The word was used by a section of social media users for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited the stadium in Ahmedabad to watch the final match. To say that the Indian team lost because the PM was in attendance is detestable.
It also undermines the effort of the Indian team that won ten matches in a row to reach the final.
But this is not the first time that superstition has entered the sports ground. Ahead of India’s matches, astrologers predict the win, players visit temples, and priests organise hawans. Often called the ‘god’ of cricket, Sachin Tendulkar too believed in superstition. He was known to wear his left pad first because he believed that it would increase the chances of winning.
Cricket works on merit, not superstition
Virat Kohli covered his face with the cap. Rohit Sharma walked off the field head down, Jasprit Bumrah consoled a crying Mohammed Siraj, and a section of fans trended the word Panauti on X.
The word has since found its way to internet memes, political debates, and WhatsApp forwards.
An X account by the name Subytweets calls it “The Power of Karma!”. In the clip, the user says, “To make ‘P for Pappu’ viral, some spent crores of rupees; but nothing was spent in making ‘P for Panauti’. That’s the power of Karma.”
More memes are surfacing on how India won the World Cup in 1983 when Indira Gandhi was the PM and in 2011 when Manmohan Singh was the PM.
Why is it difficult to accept that the better team won? Why forget that cricket works on merit and not superstition?
The spectacular bowling and fielding by the Australian team was a delight to watch. They did not let Indian batters hit a boundary for 29 overs. It was purely a brilliant performance.
Such endorsement of superstitious beliefs through funny memes on WhatsApp and social media might appear as harmless but senior political leaders giving it credence is disturbing.
Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav went an extra mile and suggested that the boys in blue might have won the final had the match been played in Lucknow and not Ahmedabad.
Even Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut said that the match was played at Narendra Modi Stadium and that’s why the team lost. “Had the same match been played at Wankhede stadium, India would have won.”
The politicians are public figures and have the power to shape public opinion. They can’t promote superstition and lament when the same bites them back.
Somebody yelled ‘Panauti’, Rahul legitimised
Rahul Gandhi was delivering a rally speech in Rajasthan when someone from the crowd yelled ‘Panuati’. He smiled and reacted, “Our boys would have won the World Cup easily but the panauti made us lose. The media won’t point it out but people know.”
Later, in a direct reference, Rahul said that ‘PM’ stands for ‘Panauti Modi’.
Several social media influencers and journalists have come out in support of Gandhi. They have an argument that the term was first used by cricket fans on social media and later by the Congress MP. Many are pulling up old jibes of Modi and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath aimed at Gandhi.
The internet is swamped with political cartoons endorsing the idea that Modi’s presence sealed the fate of the World Cup final. One such cartoon shows Gandhi asking customers at his “Mohabbat ki dukan” to close their ears as he yells “Hey Panauti” at a caricature of Modi.
As an Indian team supporter, it’s sad that during the time the team needs us the most, politicians are busy mudslinging and legitimising superstitions, which would further tamper down the scientific and rational instincts of the masses.
Maybe the toss that India lost and the dew, missing for major parts of the tournament but resurfaced in the final, was the real panauti, if at all.
Views are personal.
(Edited by Prashant)