Farmers’ Protest: Pop star Rihanna shared a report on the internet ban on protest sites.
New Delhi:
The farmers’ protest against the center’s three controversial laws, which they say will leave them at the mercy of companies, has seen a huge outpouring of support on social media in recent hours as international pop star Rihanna, the Climate activist Greta Thunberg and lawmakers. The United States and the United Kingdom tweeted about the unrest that began in late November near the borders of Delhi. Almost a week after the national capital witnessed a massive tractor demonstration and subsequent clashes on Republic Day, multiple barricades and barbed-wire fences were erected on the outskirts, which protesters have defined as “extreme measures.”
Last night, pop icon Rihanna asked her 100 million followers, “Why aren’t we talking about this ?! #FarmersProtest (sic).” His post, which featured a report on the internet ban on protest sites, was widely shared, sparking a great deal of support globally.
Why aren’t we talking about this ?! #FarmersProtesthttps://t.co/obmIlXhK9S
– Rihanna (@rihanna) February 2, 2021
British MP Claudia Webbe shared the post and wrote: “Solidarity with Indian farmers. Thank you Rihanna. In an era where political leadership is lacking, we are grateful that others are stepping forward.” Many others expressed their solidarity with the protesters following the pop star’s tweet. The Punjabi pop singer thanked the international icon for joining voices supporting the upheaval.
Solidarity with Indian farmers.
Thanks Rihanna.
In an era in which political leadership is lacking, we are grateful that others step forward#FarmersProtestpic.twitter.com/jdZnGWURBl
– Claudia Webbe MP (@ClaudiaWebbe) February 2, 2021
Let’s talk about what is happening in India right now. #FarmersProtest@LicypriyaK
– Vanessa Nakate (@vanessa_vash) February 2, 2021
Cheers to Rihanna for shedding light on him #FarmersProtest in #India – is drawing the necessary attention to a movement silenced by Twitter and violently repressed by the Modi government pic.twitter.com/x5GLJSjqPw
– Khaled Beydoun (@KhaledBeydoun) February 2, 2021
Thank you for your support✊ we need all celebrities to support this peaceful protest #supportfarmers#nofarmersnofoodhttps://t.co/DRsY21YIGC
– Jazzy B (@jazzyb) February 2, 2021
US Congressman Jim Costa, a Democrat, used Rihanna’s hashtag – # FarmersProtest – and stressed that he was “closely monitoring the situation.” “The events that are unfolding in India are worrying. As a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I am closely following the situation. The right to peaceful protest must always be respected. #FarmersProtest (sic),” read his post in the microblogging site.
Lebanese-American model Mia Khalifa was also one of those who took to Twitter and joined social media users who posted about restrictions on protest sites.
What about human rights violations ?! Did they cut the internet in New Delhi? #FarmersProtestpic.twitter.com/a5ml1P2ikU
– Mia K. (Adri Stan’s account) (@miakhalifa) February 3, 2021
The niece of US Vice President Kamala Harris, Meena Harris, also showed her support. “It is not a coincidence that the oldest democracy in the world was attacked not even a month ago, and as we speak, the most populous democracy is under attack. This is related. We should all be outraged by India’s internet shutdowns and paramilitary violence against protesting farmers, “he tweeted.
The events that are unfolding in India are worrying. As a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I am closely monitoring the situation. The right to peaceful protest must always be respected. #FarmersProtest
– Representative Jim Costa (@RepJimCosta) February 2, 2021
Thanks for raising your voice✊ #supportfarmershttps://t.co/2ATz10l3ep
– Jazzy B (@jazzyb) February 3, 2021
Climate activist Greta Thunberg, nominated for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, also expressed her solidarity.
A petition has also been filed in the UK parliament, calling for the safety of the protesters.
Yesterday, Delhi Police, Delhi Police Commissioner SN Shrivastava said that barricades were strengthened at the epicenters of protests after clashes last week. “I am surprised that when tractors were used, the police were attacked, barricades were broken on January 26, no questions were asked. What did we do now? We have just strengthened the barricades so that they are not broken again,” he said when speaking of the strong security measures that have been put in place.
The protesters, who have been camping out for the past two months, have alleged interruptions in the water and power supply due to the installation of barricades and barbed wire fences. The digging of trenches and nails in the roads and the temporary suspension of the Internet are part of the “attacks” that the government is organizing, said Samyukt Kisan Morcha, a body that groups groups of farmers.
.
