[ad_1]
For weeks, thousands of farmers have taken to the streets in India. They are protesting against a planned land reform that is supposed to deregulate the market for farmers’ products.
Meanwhile, however, the uprising has spread across the borders of India. The musician Rihanna (32), for example, has spoken on social media and sided with farmers. Climate activist Greta Thunberg is also at the center of this. Like Rihanna, the 18-year-old Swede used the hashtag #FarmersProtest on Twitter to support farmers in their fight.
Instructions posted with sample tweets
It is precisely this commitment that is now drawing much criticism. Because: Thunberg & Co. evidently didn’t just write their own expressions of support, they got involved in an organized campaign.
At least that’s what a tweet suggests, which Thunberg himself deleted on Thursday and deleted a bit later. It contained a kind of instruction on how to make other celebrities, activists or politicians aware of the issue. Even pre-made sample tweets were included. The file has now been replaced by a new version with revised instructions.
Did Thunberg “cause a riot”?
The fact that such instructions exist, especially for political campaigns, is not new and is now widespread. The fact that Greta Thunberg uploads a document full of templates and advice for fans now could have consequences for the 18-year-old. For now, police in India’s capital New Delhi have launched investigations into whether Thunberg’s news may have “sparked riots” or even started a conspiracy.
Thunberg himself was not impressed by the reactions to his message. He also responded on Twitter on Thursday afternoon (Swiss time) and wrote: “I remain on the side of the farmers and support their peaceful protest.”
In India, protests against reform have been going on since last November. Until now, the country’s farmers have benefited from being able to sell the grain they produce in state-organized markets at guaranteed minimum prices. Now these requirements should be discarded. While the state expects more competition and promises farmers more profits, they fear a drop in sales. (cat)
