Greta, Rihanna support farmers’ protest, slam internet ban in Delhi

Teen environmental activist Greta Thunberg and international pop sensation Rihanna have extended their support to India’s farmers who are protesting against the Centre’s agricultural laws at the borders of Delhi, while condemning the internet ban in and around Delhi.

“We stand in solidarity with the #FarmersProtest in India,” Thunberg tweeted, tagging an article on the internet shutdown.

Her tweet was followed by a similar one by Rihanna who asked, “Why aren’t we talking about this?” while tagging the same article.

The singer reportedly added another 1 lakh followers within hours of her tweet. She has more than a 100 million followers.

Rihanna’s tweet which was massively shared also faced its share of brickbats, the most vociferous being actor Kangana Ranaut who went to the extent of calling her a “fool” for supporting the farmers’ protest.

“No one is talking about it because they are not farmers they are terrorists who are trying to divide India, so that China can take over our vulnerable broken nation and make it a Chinese colony much like USA…Sit down you fool, we are not selling our nation like you dummies,” the actor, known for her pro-BJP stance replied.

On the orders of the Union Home Ministry, internet services in the bordering areas of Delhi including in Singhu, Ghazipur and Tikri, where the farmers are camped, were blocked on Saturday and the ban was extended till 5 pm of Wednesday.

The step was taken soon after the farmers decided to stage a nationwide strike or ‘chakka jam’ on February 6. It also comes days after a clash broke out between farmers at Ghazipur and outsiders who had attacked their camp. In the wake of the incident, the Uttar Pradesh government had ordered the protesters to vacate the place by Thursday night. The farmers, however, refused to return.

The administration has erected temporary concrete walls at the borders, laid nails on the road and beefed up security to prevent the protesters from entering Delhi.