Why aren’t we talking about this?! #FarmersProtest, a tweet from Rihanna, who has over 100 million followers on Twitter, at 8:59 pm Feb 2 created a furore on the Social Media platform, in which she mentioned a news item from CNN that ”India cuts internet around New Delhi as protesting farmers clash with police”.
I think she did not witness the mayhem, which erupted on 26th January, 2021, where police constable were bleeding, swords were unsheathed and tractors ploughed in circles to create terror and hooliganism on the roads. After the farmers tweet, she tweeted of the coup in the Myanmar. On Tuesday, Rihanna tweeted: “my prayers are with you #myanmar!” The farmers tweet generated hundreds of likes and retweets from her followers, the world around. But the trolls in lighter vein asked, where is New Delhi? She was ruthlessly trolled and was called a ‘fool’ by the Indian celebrity Ms. Kangana Ranaut, the firebrand nationalist Indian actress. Hours after the singer’s tweet, teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg and even the US Vice President’s niece Meena Harris also tweeted support for the farmers.
After international pop star Rihanna and climate activist Greta Thunberg waded into the ongoing farmers’ agitation by criticising the internet shutdown at the protest site, former porn star Mia Khalifa, too, tweeted her opinion on the issue. Khalifa, a 27 – year – old Lebanese – American actor who previously worked in the porn industry, tweeted, ““Paid actors,” huh? Quite the casting director, I hope they’re not overlooked during awards season. I stand with the farmers. #FarmersProtest.”
Khalifa’s tweet got responses asking her if she had even read the farm laws, which are the centre of the protests. Some others trolled Khalifa over her being a pornographic actress. Khalifa has previously been embroiled in controversy when she performed sex acts in a video wearing a headpiece hijab. She was criticised world over for insulting Islam and even received online death threats. In an interview, Khalifa tried to defend her actions saying the controversial scene was satirical and should be taken as such, claiming that Hollywood films depicted Muslims in a far more negative light than any pornographer could.
A day after tweeting in support of the farm agitation in India, environmental activist Greta Thunberg has once again supported the movement, sharing a toolkit for “those who want to help”.
“Here’s a toolkit if you want to help,” tweeted Thunberg, which directs the user to a document containing details on ways to support the agitation. Thunberg had earlier on Tuesday supported the farmers’ protest – now running for over two months – saying she “We stand in solidarity with the #FarmersProtest in India.”
Teen climate activist Greta Thunberg has deleted her second tweet where she had shared Google documents on how to support and protest against the farm laws globally. BJP leader Kapil Mishra shared contents of Greta’s global farmers’ strike tool kit saying they were prepared for riots on January 26th in advance. Talking to Times Now’s Navika Kumar, AAP MLA Atishi said Greta Thunberg needs to clarify why she deleted the protest. Fools, as if she will listen to AAP.
But who all have supported the Farm Laws after it was passed by the Union Government and notified. They are Swaminathan Aiyar, father of the Indian Agriculture, Chief Economist at IMF, Executive Director at IMF, former Chief Executive at World Bank, numerous academicians from IITs, IM – B and Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. India’s sovereignty cannot be compromised. External forces can be spectators but not participants. Indians know India and should decide for India. Let’s remain united as a nation: Sachin Tendulkar said, even our singing Kokila of the nation posted a tweet supporting the nation.
Tweets about anyone are earning business for Rihanna, Mia Khalifa, Greta Thunberg, Ms Harris, the niece of the VP and even Lavanya of South Delhi have made a joke of themselves by supporting farmers protest of India. Greta had shared a toolkit document calling RSS – BJP as a fascistic ruling party. The document is titled – “#ASKINDIAWHY Global Farmers First Wave Will you be part of the largest protest in Human History?” This document gives a detailed plan of accelerating the farmers’ agitation taking place on the outskirts of Delhi on January 26 (Republic Day). The document also asks individuals to sign certain petitions. What is clear from the document is that there was a coordinated attempt by hostile elements abroad to incite unrest in India all along. Furthermore, while it is unclear precisely when the coordinated efforts began, it is more than evident that such attempts began even prior to the 23rd of January.
Moreover, there were attempts by hostile elements abroad to stir up passions on Republic Day. Greta Thunberg has tagged the handles of two obscure groups in the tweet where she shared the document. One is “Extinction Rebellion India” and the other is “Fridays For Future India”. There is not much information about the identities of the individuals involved in either of these two groups. The website for FFFI does not list the names of the head of the group or the board running things. However, given their antecedents, it is clear that they are a part of a bigger effort to undermine Indian democracy.
Government has taken a very serious view of such tweets. Issuing a stern warning to the foreign celebrities, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) asked these foreign individuals and entities to ascertain facts and undertake a proper understanding of the farmers’ protest before rushing to comment on it.
Ministry of External Affairs Government of India. This is the full tweet.
“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 provided 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.
Yet, it is unfortunate to see vested interest groups trying to enforce their agenda on these protests, and derail them. This was egregiously witnessed on January 26, India’s Republic Day. A cherished national commemoration, the anniversary of the inauguration of the Constitution of India, was besmirched, and violence and vandalism took place in the Indian capital.
Some of these vested interest groups have also tried to mobilise international support against India. Instigated by such fringe elements, Mahatma Gandhi statues have been desecrated in parts of the world. This is extremely disturbing for India and for civilised society everywhere. Indian police forces have handled these 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. 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.”
IndiaTogether
IndiaAgainst Propaganda
MEITY has ordered Twitter to block the accounts which were using #ModiPlanningFarmerGenocide hashtag and making fake, intimidatory and provocative Tweets on Saturday that was January 30th 2021. But few handles were restored after 4 hours.
Such tweets by celebrities like Rihanna don’t come cheap. It is being rumoured that Jagmeet Singh the Canadian MP is behind this tweet and may be supported by the Canadian PM. Relations between the two nations are not too good. The Indian government must use its own resources to investigate the money trail, if any.
It’s also time to make Indian twitter account at least 6 months before the 2024 elections, as the left oriented Jack, under pressure from the leftist lobby will definitely try to block our PM Modi, even though he knows, if Modi quits the platform, its valuation will down further by more than 12 billion us dollars.
We must boycott the songs of Rihanna and her gang completely.
