Farmer Protest India
It reached 75th day. Indeed, the ‘chakka jam’ call on 6th February by the political leader leading farmers was not so successful. However, the protest still has managed to garner attention because of foreign celebrity interference. And, the most noteworthy among them was the tweet of Rihanna. The born in Barbados singer’s tweet created a lot of uproar in India.
Specifically, Bollywood divided into two parts after her tweet. Top names like Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgan, KanganaRanaut, Suneil Shetty firmly opposed Rihanna, asking her to let India solve her own issue. In fact, Sachin Tendulkar has also opposed Rihanna’s tweet to malign India’s image. On the other hand, names like TaapseePannu, who often join JNU left-wing protests, have praised Rihanna.
Rihanna’s and Ms. Thunberg Tweet on Farmer Protests
Protest against the agriculture bill got back to headline also after the tweet of Greta Thunberg. However, the Swedish teen soon got into a controversy after her tweet. Specifically, it was because of the link to a toolkit she provided in her tweet. In fact, Greta Thunberg deleted the toolkit link soon after tweeting on it. Primarily, there is so much controversy around the toolkit is because of the creators of it. Specifically, as the name, MO Dhaliwal appeared on it. Dhaliwal is the founder of the Poetic Justice Foundation, which created the toolkit.
Moreover, the toolkit had a mention that its intention is to garner support for farmer protest, part of a “larger conspiracy to create disharmony”. Dhaliwal is under the scanner of Indian security officials. He is a sympathiser of the Khalistani activists. Most importantly, he has remained part of many anti-India demonstrations abroad.
Also, he is close to many Khalistani leaders and a PR agency-Sky rocket. Allegedly, the same PR agency with Khalistani link has paid $2.5 million (Rs 18 crore) for a single tweet to Rihanna. The PR agency Skyrocket also hasa link with many other under-scanner names, for instigating Farmer’s protest. For example, it has links with Anita Lal, co-founder of Poetic Justice Foundation.
Latest statements of leaders
According to the latest reports, PM Modi has addressed the matter in Rajya Sabha. He states that the bill is going to empower farmers. Also, PM Modi condemns opposition for taking a ‘U-turn’ on the matter. He added that the law has already remained in cold storage for decades. Above all, he has confirmed that MSP, was, is, and will be there.
Rather, according to Modi, the law will enrich the standard of cold storages in India. According to Indian Union Minister, the farmer protest is a result of a misunderstanding. However, veteran leader Sharad Pawer has emphasised that the PM, Rajanath Singh, and Gadkari must talk to farmer leaders.
Piyush Goyal, Minister of Finance and Commerce,has said that the government is ready for a talk with the government. According to MP Som Prakash, government has already taken a step towards talks by suspending the bill for 18 months.TMC has said that the government is creating a war-like situation against farmers.
Meanwhile, Center has sent a notice to micro-blogging site to block 1,178 accounts in links with Khalistani activists, instigating protests. Also, security agencies have caught one more connection with Red Fort violence on Republic Day.
However, disturbing news has come as a farmer’s body found hanging from a tree, near Tikri border protest site. On the other hand, farmer Rakesh Tikait shows his firmness about the protest. Moreover, he has confirmed about no call back as long as the bill is there. According to him, ‘no gharwapsi’ until the government meets the demands of the farmers.