Farmers’ protest: India slams on Rihanna, Greta Thunberg, and others for irresponsible comments
India has sharply reacted to comments by western celebrities like Rihanna & Climate activist Greta and others on farmers protests in India.
Rihanna, who has 101 million followers tweeted a media link saying, “Why aren’t we talking about this?! #FarmersProtest”.
why aren’t we talking about this?! #FarmersProtest https://t.co/obmIlXhK9S
— Rihanna (@rihanna) February 2, 2021
Greta, tweeted the same link, saying, “We stand in solidarity with the #FarmersProtest in India.”
We stand in solidarity with the #FarmersProtest in India.
https://t.co/tqvR0oHgo0— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) February 2, 2021
India’s Ministry of External Affairs called the comments a temptation of sensationalist social media hashtags and comments, especially when resorted to by celebrities and others as neither accurate nor responsible.
Without taking names, the statement said, “…before rushing to comment on such matters, we would urge that the facts be ascertained, and a proper understanding of the issues at hand be undertaken.”
#IndiaTogether #IndiaAgainstPropaganda https://t.co/TfdgXfrmNt pic.twitter.com/gRmIaL5Guw
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) February 3, 2021
The MEA’s statement has pointed out that the “reformist” farm laws have been passed “after a full debate and discussion” and “these reforms give expanded market access and provided greater flexibility to farmers”.
It recalled talks between the govt and farmers over the “reservations about these reforms” and the fact that “Government has even offered to keep the laws on hold, and offer iterated by no less than the Prime Minister of India”.
The developments of January 26, when protestors’ “violence and vandalism” took place in Delhi & Mahatma Gandhi statues being “desecrated in parts of the world” were also highlighted in the statement.
The statement also mentioned how the Indian police forces have “handled these protests with utmost restraint” even as “hundreds of men and women serving in the police have been physically attacked” and in “some cases stabbed and seriously wounded.”
