To Die a Frenchman

When France relinquished the colonial outpost of Pondicherry after India’s independence in 1947, it gave its subjects the option between French and Indian citizenships. Inadequately publicised, this voluntary path to enfranchisement failed to reach the vast majority of Pondicherry’s population, who became Indian citizens by default. A fraction of those left behind continue to fight for what they perceive to be their birthright.