Violence and vandalism at Red Fort on January 26 evoked the same emotions as in the Capitol Hill: MEA spokesperson

Violence and vandalism at Red Fort on January 26 evoked the same emotions and reactions in India as in the Capitol Hill incident on January 6.

After many international celebrities commented on the ongoing harassment of farmers. Speaking at a weekly press conference, Anurag Srivastava, a spokesman for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), said the decision to block internet access in the regions around Delhi was taken to prevent further violence. "Any protest should be considered in accordance with the democratic process and respect for India and the ongoing efforts of the government and the farmers' groups concerned to resolve the problem," he said.

Responding to a question about India's position on the US over the farmers' strike, Srivastava said, while emphasizing that India and the US are both powerful democracies with shared prices, he said the incidents of violence and vandalism at Red Fort on January 26 "evoked the same emotions and reactions in India as in the Capitol Hill incident on January 6". These incidents are being dealt with according to local laws, he said.

Commenting on internet access which was banned in certain areas of Delhi and surrounding areas on January 26, a MEA spokesman said, "Temporary measures regarding internet access in certain parts of the Delhi-NCR region are therefore designed to prevent further violence." On agricultural reforms, a MEA spokesman went on to say that the US had approved India's measures.

The United States has publicly stated support for India's new farm regulations, saying it welcomes measures that will "improve the performance" of Indian markets and attract greater private sector investment.

Responding to ongoing farm protests in India, a State Department spokesman said Washington saw "peaceful protests as a sign of a prosperous democracy", adding that differences between the parties can be resolved through negotiations. The Department of External Affairs, in a statement, had previously said that the government had passed laws "after full debate and negotiations" and "started a series of negotiations" to address the problems of farmers.

The MEA has also condemned celebrities, who have drawn attention to farmers 'protests on social media. MEA's response came after American music star Rihanna brought attention to the farmers' protest. "Why don't we talk about this ?!", Rihanna tweeted on Tuesday, along with the hashtag '#FarmersProtest'. Recently tweeted by Rihanna, other celebrities and world-renowned activists including Jay Sean, Amanda Cerny, Lilly Singh, and Greta Thunberg all of them are in support of farmers.

Farmers have been protesting in various parts of the national capital since November 26 last year against three recently enacted farm laws: the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; Farmers Empowerment and Protection) Price Assurance Agreement and Farm Services Act 2020 and Important Property Act (Amendment), 2020.