India against propaganda! MEA rightly hits out to Rihanna, Thunberg's support to protesting farmers
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New Delhi, February 03: As international pop star Rihanna and teen climate activist Greta Thunberg brought global attention to the farmers' protest, India on Wednesday said that resorting to sensationalist social media hashtags and comments, especially by celebrities and known public figures, is neither accurate nor responsible. The statement by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) was issued after several people from the international community came out in support of the farmers' protest against the Centre's new agriculture laws.
"The Parliament of India, after a full debate and discussion, passed reformist legislation relating to the agricultural sector. These reforms give expanded market access and provide greater flexibility to farmers. They also pave the way for economically and ecologically sustainable farming. A very small section of farmers in parts of India have some reservations about these reforms. Respecting the sentiments of the protestors, the Government of India has initiated a series of talks with their representatives. Union Ministers have been part of the negotiations, and eleven rounds of talks have already been held. The Government has even offered to keep the laws on hold, an offer iterated by no less than the Prime Minister of India," the MEA added.
Nowadays, it has as if become a trend to comment on others' internal matters without even knowing the depth of the matter! Following the same, internationally acclaimed singer Robyn Rihanna Fenty, popularly known the name Rihanna and "climate activist" Greta Thunberg extended their support to the ongoing farmers' protest without even knowing the full matter.
Taking to the Twitter handle, Rihanna shared an article by CNN that had highlighted the Centre's crackdown on the farmers by cutting off internet services in many regions. Showing her solidarity, she said, "Why aren't we talking about this?! #FarmersProtest," along with a news article about the situation.
Following her, teenage Swedish "activist" Greta Thunberg also poked her nose in India's internal matters and tweeted, "We stand in solidarity with the #FarmersProtest in India."
The statement by MEA further added that Indian police forces have handled the protests with utmost restraint. "It may be noted that hundreds of men and women serving in the police have been physically attacked, and in some cases stabbed and seriously wounded. We would like to emphasise that these protests must be seen in the context of India’s democratic ethos and polity, and the efforts of the Government and the concerned farmer groups to resolve the impasse," it 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. The temptation of sensationalist social media hashtags and comments, especially when resorted to by celebrities and others, is neither accurate nor responsible."
It's not the first time that Greta Thunberg had passed comments on India's internal matter. She has an old habit, earlier also spoken out against the NEET and JEE exams in 2020 saying "It's deeply unfair that students of India". Thunberg tweeted, "It's deeply unfair that students of India are asked to sit national exams during the COVID-19 pandemic, and while millions have also been impacted by the extreme floods. I stand with their call to #PostponeJEE_NEETinCOVID."
Apart from this, American actresses Amanda Cerni extended her support for protest saying, “The world is watching. You don’t have to be Indian or Punjabi or South Asian to understand the issue. All you have to do is care about humanity. “
While extending support to the farmers, but did they know why Home Ministry suspended internet connectivity in these areas? Did they check the facts? Did they know what happened in the tractors rally parade? What are the three farm laws for which farmers are protesting? And if they all know the answers then, why they remained silent when protesters attacked polices injured them. As many as 510 police personnel were injured in the violence associated with protests against the farm laws.
Last week, the "Peaceful farmer protesters" stormed the Red Fort and attacked Delhi Police personnel in ITO. Following this, the Union Home Ministry suspended internet connectivity at three main protest sites at the capital’s borders — Singhu, Tikri, and Ghazipur.
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