The men’s hockey team on Tuesday suffered heartbreak after they lost to Belgium 5-2 in the semi-final at Tokyo Olympics. However, even before the final whistle was blown, word Panauti began to trend on Twitter.
India had led 2-1, thank to the goals from Mandeep Singh and Harmanpreet Singh, for the earlier part of the match but the deficit was narrowed by the goal from Belgium’s Alexander Hendrickx.
However, in a blow to the Indian chances for an Olympic Gold medal in hockey, Belgium scored four goals, three of them coming in the final 15 minutes of the match.
Soon, the Hindi word Panauti (harbinger of bad luck) began to trend on Twitter. For many, this was aimed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had tweeted during the match that he was also watching the semi-final between India and Belgium.
“I’m watching the India vs Belgium Hockey Men’s Semi Final at #Tokyo2020. Proud of our team and their skills. Wishing them the very best!” Modi tweeted.
I’m watching the India vs Belgium Hockey Men’s Semi Final at #Tokyo2020. Proud of our team and their skills. Wishing them the very best!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 3, 2021
Twitterati began to hold Modi responsible for bringing bad luck with others reminding that his presence at the ISRO operation centre in 2019 had coincided with the failed Chandrayan mission.
I stopped watching match after this tweet.
Panauti ne sube sube tweet kar diya !! pic.twitter.com/9mxvbzG8Zx
— Milind7 (@milindtheone07) August 3, 2021
India was playing well and was tied at 2-2.
Then Panauti tweeted wishing the best for Indian team.
Now we lost 2-5???? pic.twitter.com/RVh8sJY365
— Pratik Chimane ???? (@Pratik0722) August 3, 2021
Panauti…..
Someone please engage him with random talk on mangoes and peacock while women's hockey match is played. Please. pic.twitter.com/CQgYHtLpZB
— She Was Regal (@marasim135) August 3, 2021
Chronology of "Panauti Effect" pic.twitter.com/8IfgDAgzb0
— SpiDeY™ (@Parody_guy10) August 3, 2021
Now I understand why we are losing the game #Panauti pic.twitter.com/FVCW6vZ3J3
— साँवरिया शिवम् यादव (@sanvariya13) August 3, 2021
Meanwhile, hockey fans have rallied behind the national team in the aftermath of the loss to Belgium. PM Modi tweeted, “Wins and losses are a part of life. Our Men’s Hockey Team at #Tokyo2020 gave their best and that is what counts. Wishing the Team the very best for the next match and their future endeavours. India is proud of our players.”