After Rihanna's tweet went viral, several international figures have backed the ongoing farmers' protest against the three agricultural laws.
After pop singer Rihanna who is followed by 100 million fans, tweeted about the ongoing farmers' protest, twitter flooded with tweets supporting the cause while several international personalities thanked her for showing concern and raising voice about the issue. In the wake of protest gaining support from international community, the Ministry of External Affairs released a statement on Wednesday warning against the “temptation of sensationalist social media hashtags and comments” and said that "a very small section of farmers in parts of India" were protesting against the three farm laws.
"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," the Ministry said in the statement. "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."
The Ministry has used hashtags #IndiaTogether and #IndiaAgainstPropaganda in the statement. "A very small section of farmers in parts of India have some reservations about these reforms," read the statement and also referred to the offer of the government to put the laws on hold.
Rihanna had shared a CNN article about the government's decision to suspend internet services at three protest sites - Singhu, Ghazipur and Tikri. Internet services were also suspended in 17 districts of Haryana. British MP Claudia Webbe shared Rihanna's post and wrote: "Solidarity to the Indian Farmers. Thank you Rihanna. In an era where political leadership is lacking we are grateful for others stepping forward."
US Vice President Kamala Harris's niece Meena Harris also showed solidarity for the cause. "It's no coincidence that the world's oldest democracy was attacked not even a month ago, and as we speak, the most populous democracy is under assault. This is related. We all should be outraged by India's internet shutdowns and paramilitary violence against farmer protesters," she tweeted. Climate campaigner, Greta Thunberg of Sweden also supported the farmers on the issue.
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