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With One Tweet, Rihanna Puts India Farmers' Protests in Global Spotlight

VOA News

   American pop star Rihanna tweeted about ongoing farmers' protests in
   India this week, sparking attention from other big names on social
   media and anger from the Indian government.
   "Why aren't we talking about this?!" Rihanna tweeted on Tuesday, with a
   link to a CNN article about ongoing protests.

     why aren't we talking about this?! [1]#FarmersProtest
     [2]https://t.co/obmIlXhK9S
     -- Rihanna (@rihanna) [3]February 2, 2021

   The tweet, which has been liked more than a half-million times in the
   past day, sparked attention from climate activist Greta Thunberg and
   the niece of Vice President Kamala Harris.

     We stand in solidarity with the [4]#FarmersProtest in India.
     [5]https://t.co/tqvR0oHgo0
     -- Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) [6]February 2, 2021

   "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," Meena
   Harris tweeted.

   But its reception in India was mixed.
   In a statement released Wednesday, India's Ministry of External Affairs
   said that the issue was a domestic one and accused "vested interest
   groups" of mobilizing international support against India.
   "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 Ministry said in a [7]statement.
   "The temptation of sensationalist social media hashtags and comments,
   especially when resorted to by celebrities and others, is neither
   accurate nor responsible," the statement went on.
   The statement claims that only a "very small section" of farmers have
   protested three new bills, which farmers fear would put them at the
   mercy of large corporations. However, tens of thousands of farmers have
   been camped out near India's capital of Delhi for nearly two months as
   talks with the government have stalled.

References

   1. https://twitter.com/hashtag/FarmersProtest?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
   2. https://t.co/obmIlXhK9S
   3. https://twitter.com/rihanna/status/1356625889602199552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
   4. https://twitter.com/hashtag/FarmersProtest?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
   5. https://t.co/tqvR0oHgo0
   6. https://twitter.com/GretaThunberg/status/1356694884615340037?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
   7. https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/33456/Press_Statement_on_recent_comments_by_foreign_individuals_and_entities_on_the_farmers_protests

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