How Rihanna’s tweet infuriated the Indians
Lahore, 4th February: US pop star Rihanna shared a message on her Twitter account on Wednesday supporting the farmers in India who are protesting for the last two months.
Baaghi TV: A single tweet from the American icon angered not only the Indian government but the supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi including showbiz personalities too.
On 2nd February, Rihanna shared a news article from CNN in her tweet drawing attention to the massive farmer protests that have gripped India for more than two months now.
why aren’t we talking about this?! #FarmersProtest https://t.co/obmIlXhK9S
— Rihanna (@rihanna) February 2, 2021
Following this, India’s senior government ministers, celebrities and even the foreign ministry are urging people to come together and condemn outsiders who try to break the country.
As per reports, India’s foreign ministry said in a statement on Wednesday, without naming Rihanna and others who followed her suit, “It is unfortunate to see vested interest groups trying to enforce their agenda on these protests, and derail them.”
As per earlier reports of Baaghi TV, teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg and the niece of US Vice President Kamala Harris, Meena Harris, were among others who tweeted their support, and a social media uproar soon followed.
International outpour after Rihanna’s tweet
Many of the Bollywood celebrities and sports stars who were silent on the farmer protests and are known to toe the government’s line, tweeted in one voice.
They used hashtags #IndiaAgainstPropaganda and #IndiaTogether and asked people outside India not to interfere with their country’s affairs.
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar expressed his feelings on his Twitter handle:
India’s sovereignty cannot be compromised. External forces can be spectators but not participants.
Indians know India and should decide for India. Let's remain united as a nation.#IndiaTogether #IndiaAgainstPropaganda— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) February 3, 2021
He said, “India’s sovereignty cannot be compromised. External forces can be spectators but not participants. Indians know India and should decide for India. Let’s remain united as a nation.”
Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli followed suit calling for unity in this hour of disagreements.
Let us all stay united in this hour of disagreements. Farmers are an integral part of our country and I'm sure an amicable solution will be found between all parties to bring about peace and move forward together. #IndiaTogether
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) February 3, 2021
Head coach Ravi Shastri also offered his piece of advice saying, “Agriculture is a very important part of the machinery of the Indian economic system. Farmers are the backbone of any country’s ecosystem. This is an internal matter which I’m sure will be resolved through dialogue.”
Agriculture is a very important part of the machinery of the Indian economic system. Farmers are the backbone of any country’s ecosystem. This is an internal matter which I’m sure will be resolved through dialogue. Jai Hind! #IndiaStandsTogether #IndiaAgainstPropoganda 🇮🇳
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) February 3, 2021
Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut, a staunch Modi supporter, called the protesting farmers terrorists and Rihanna a fool.
She hasn’t released a single song in 5 years, sells make up but looks like she is feeling Corona blues,Forbes estimated incomes are just PR gimmicks big sham,a million or two won’t hurt her right now, also notice in her tweet she did not commit to any opinion just a vague tweet. https://t.co/57VGWJZ8Be
— Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) February 3, 2021
Ms Ranuat attacked the US pop star saying, “She hasn’t released a single song in 5 years, sells makeup but looks like she is feeling Corona blues, Forbes estimated incomes are just PR gimmicks big sham, a million or two won’t hurt her right now, also notice in her tweet she did not commit to any opinion just a vague tweet.”
Bollywood actors Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and director Karan Johar joined the war against the foreigners.
However, India’s opposition leaders rallied against the government’s move.
Farmers constitute an extremely important part of our country. And the efforts being undertaken to resolve their issues are evident. Let’s support an amicable resolution, rather than paying attention to anyone creating differences. 🙏🏻#IndiaTogether #IndiaAgainstPropaganda https://t.co/LgAn6tIwWp
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) February 3, 2021
We must always take a comprehensive view of things, as there is nothing more dangerous than half truth. #IndiaTogether #IndiaAgainstPropaganda @hiteshjain33 https://t.co/7rNZ683ZAU
— Suniel Shetty (@SunielVShetty) February 3, 2021
https://twitter.com/karanjohar/status/1356897467850059780?s=20
On the other hand, leader of the opposition Congress party Shashi Tharoor said the damage done to India’s global image by the government’s undemocratic behaviour could not be restored by making celebrities tweet.
For GoI to get Indian celebrities to react to Western ones is embarrassing. The damage done to India's global image by GoI's obduracy &undemocratic behaviour can't be remedied by a cricketer's tweets. Withdraw the farm laws &discuss solutions w/farmers &you'll get #IndiaTogether.
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) February 3, 2021
Tharoor also pointed out in his tweet that the Indian government getting Indian celebrities to react to Western ones is embarrassing.
Why did the PM of India comment on the assault on the Capitol building in Washington by the Trump storm troopers?
It is sad that someone erudite and worldly wise like Mr S Jaishankar should allow such puerile reactions by the MEA?
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) February 3, 2021
India’s former finance minister P. Chidambaram lashed out at India’s foreign ministry and called its statement a “puerile reaction”.
In a series of his tweets Chidambaram wrote, “It is good that Rihanna and Greta Thunberg can wake up the MEA. Come on MEA, when will you realize that people concerned with issues of human rights and livelihoods do not recognize national boundaries?”
It is to be noted that tens of thousands of farmers have been camping at the outskirts of the Indian capital New Delhi to protest against new agricultural laws which they say will leave them poorer.
Stay tuned to Baaghi TV to for further updates!
