Fast planned to raise awareness

PUDUCHERRY: A Arulraj, leader of the erstwhile  French  India Youth Congress  and one of the five members  of the people’s government (interim), said he would observe a fast here on November 1  to impress upon the government  to celebrate it as Puducherry Independence Day.The people’s government was set up under  president of RK Nehru, the then foreign secretary.In a release here on Saturday, Arulraj(86) said there had been a long-pending demand to celebrate the Independence Day on November 1 as Puducherry was liberated from French rule  on November 1, 1954. The day marked the end of 280 years of continuous French rule after the treaty of cession was signed by French and Indian governments through their representatives. The  freedom fighter disapproved of the Foundation Day programme organised by the Art and Culture Department at Kamban Kalai Arangam where  Rangasamy would unfurl the tricolour and honour freedom fighters.  Arulraj said he would go ahead with his fast if the government failed to take steps in this regard.