Puducherry Celebrates 62nd De Jure Merger Day with Tricolour Hoisting in Kizhoor

Puducherry Agriculture Minister 'Theni' C Djeacoumar marked the 62nd De Jure Merger Day by hoisting the tricolour in Kizhoor. The milestone commemorates the official merger of French establishments into the Indian Union. State leaders and freedom fighters attended the ceremony amid calls for statehood for Puducherry.

Puducherry Agriculture Minister 'Theni' C Djeacoumar hoisted the tricolour at a memorial in Kizhoor, a border village, on Friday, to commemorate the 62nd De Jure Merger Day of the union territory.

The event was graced by notable attendees, including Speaker R Selvam, Deputy Speaker P Rajavelu, Government whip A K D Arumugham, and Chief Secretary Sharat Chauhan. The ceremony included a guard of honour presented by the Puducherry police, and tributes were paid to freedom fighters of the region.

The union territory of Puducherry, along with its outlying regions of Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam, were initially French establishments before their 'de facto' merger with the Indian Union in 1954. This merger was officially ratified in the French Parliament in 1962, marking the 'de jure transfer' of power on August 16. Despite being a union territory since then, political parties continue to advocate for its recognition as a full-fledged state, citing the necessity for autonomous governance.

(With inputs from agencies.)