On Twitter, the 32-year-old pop star shared a CNN story about the internet being shut down in several districts of Delhi’s neighboring state of Haryana after protesters broke through barricades to enter New Delhi and clashed with police in various parts of the national capital during the 26 January protest “tractor rally” organized by farmers.
Protesters also entered the iconic Mughal Era monument, the Red Fort, and displayed their flags from its walls.
“Why aren’t we talking about this?” Rihanna wrote, adding the hashtag #FarmersProtest along with the post on the microblogging site.
Why aren’t we talking about this ?! #FarmersProtest https://t.co/obmIlXhK9S
– Rihanna (@rihanna) 1612279791000
The ‘Umbrella’ singer’s tweet caused reactions from famous fans and followers and led her to be trending on the microblogging platform. With more than 241,000 tweets, Rihanna was ranked # 1 in India on the site. As of 11:10 PM (IST), his tweet earned 144,000 likes and over 70,000 retweets.
Actor Kangana Ranaut, who had supported the farm laws, called Rihanna “foolish” and said the protesters were not farmers but “terrorists trying to divide India.”
“No one is talking about it because they are not farmers, they are terrorists who are trying to divide India, so China can take over our vulnerable broken nation and turn it into a Chinese colony like the US … Sit down, fool, we are not selling our nation like fools, “the ‘Panga’ actor tweeted.
Nobody talks about it because they are not farmers, they are terrorists who are trying to divide India, so… https://t.co/Auc9D13Ndd
– Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) 1612283175000
Others, like Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Diljit Dosanjh, have supported farmers on Twitter. Diljit also had a Twitter dispute with the ‘Queen’ actor over his contrasting views on protesting farmers.
“Yes! Thank you so much Rihanna. This is a humanity issue! #IStandWithFarmers and this narrative is TIRED,” Canadian YouTuber, comedian, talk show host and actress Lily Singh tweeted.
Meanwhile, the Haryana government extended the suspension of mobile internet services in various districts of the state until 5 pm on February 3.
Farmers have been protesting across the different borders of the national capital since November 26 last year against the three recently enacted agricultural laws: Trade in Agricultural Products and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the 2020 Farmers’ Empowerment and Protection Agreement on Agricultural Price Guarantee and Services and the Essential Products (Amendment) Act 2020.
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