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Pedestrian.tv
Pedestrian.tv
Entertainment
Simran Pasricha

Chris Martin Thanks India For ‘Forgiving’ British Colonialism & Did We Miss A Chapter?

Everyone, guess what!! Chris Martin just solved colonialism! Years of generational trauma can wrap it up!

During Coldplay’s recent Mumbai concert, the singer decided to take a detour into historical diplomacy that left the internet both cringing and cackling.

He really said we’ve “Fix(ed) You”. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartRadio)

Martin addressed the crowd of 75,000 fans with a statement that was part apology, part awkward acknowledgment of Britain’s colonial past.

“It’s amazing to us that you welcome us even though we are from Great Britain,” Martin told the audience.

“Thank you for forgiving us for all of the bad things that Great Britain has done.”

I must have missed that forgiveness memo.

@dawn_images

In a rather strange and unexpected move, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin thanked concertgoers in India for forgiving the band for “all of the bad things Great Britain has done”. Let’s just say, an indirect apology for colonialism from the ‘Viva La Vida’ singer was not on our 2025 bingo cards. During their performance in Mumbai, Martin said, “It’s amazing to us that you welcome us even though we are from Great Britain. Thank you for forgiving us for all of the bad things Great Britain has done.” Read the full story on images.dawn.com video via hunar_anand / Instagram #chrismartin #coldplay #india #colonialism #whattowatch #whotofollow #dawnimages #concert #coldplayconcert #music

♬ original sound – Dawn IMAGES

For those who might need a refresher on why Chris’ apology falls flat, let’s take a quick trip down the blood-soaked memory lane of British colonialism in India. The British Raj, lasting from 1858 to 1947, was a period of direct British rule that basically turned India into their personal playground. They mastered the art of “divide and rule”, messing with borders and local politics.

The British stripped India’s manufacturing power, turning a once-global economic powerhouse into a raw material supplier and convenient market for British goods.

While they built railways, it wasn’t out of kindness — more like a convenient way to cart off resources. Multiple famines, millions of deaths, and a completely transformed social landscape later, the British finally packed up in 1947, but left a world of pain in their wake. Even today, the shadows of colonialism loom large over India. 

Chris Martin and Dakota Johnson have been exploring India during Coldplay’s tour stop.
(Image: @bubblesbublu / X)

So, when Chris dropped a casual “thanks for forgiving us” at a concert, the internet predictably lost its mind.

“Chris Martin apologising for colonialism at a concert is peak ‘sorry with a side of vibes,'” one X user perfectly summed up.

“Ok I guess?!? I’m pretty sure they didn’t forgive y’all,” said another.

“Nothing says ‘reparations’ like a Coldplay concert,” one user wrote.

Be so for real! (Image: @hello_skybaby / X)

Some fans tried to give Martin credit for good intentions. “I love him and his heart but no baby don’t say this please,” one comment read.

In the end, Martin might want to stick to what he does best: singing about stars, feelings, and imaginary paradises. If he really wanted to start on the reconciliation road, I’m happy with cheque or cash.

Lead image: Getty Images / X

The post Chris Martin Thanks India For ‘Forgiving’ British Colonialism & Did We Miss A Chapter? appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .

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