In the face of a growing domestic crisis, the Indian government and its supporters appear to have settled on an unlikely target for their ire: international celebrities.
Pop star Rihanna led a growing list of prominent figures around the world to express your support by massive protests by farmers who have rocked the country for months, generating a furious reaction.
Tens of thousands of farmers camped in the Indian capital, New Delhi, to protest new agricultural laws that say they can destroy their livelihoods and leave them open to exploitation by large corporations.
The singer posted a link to a story on the subject for her more than 100 million followers on Tuesday, asking “Why aren’t we talking about this ?!”
In a short time, many more went.
Several prominent figures later joined Rihanna to express support for the protests, including teenagers climate activist Greta Thunberg, Vice president Niece of Kamala Harris, Meena, Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn. And NFL star JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Steelers wide receiver said it donated $ 10,000 to provide medical assistance to farmers.
The Indian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday condemned “vested interest groups that are trying to enforce their agenda in these protests and derail them.”
The statement did not name anyone specifically, but added that “the temptation of hashtags and hyped social media comments, especially when appealed to by celebrities and others, is neither accurate nor responsible.”
Delhi police, meanwhile, said on Thursday that they had opened a case file against the creators of an online toolkit that Thunberg shared with his followers, in case they wanted to help those at the scene.
Supporters of high-level Modi were also quick to denounce the intervention of international personalities.
Bollywood celebrities and national sports stars, who remained silent about the protests, criticized the “outside forces” in posts that used official hashtags promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“Indians know India and must decide for India. We will remain united as a nation, ” cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar said on Wednesday.
The reforms enacted in September loosened the rules on the sale, pricing and storage of agricultural products that have protected farmers from an unrestricted free market for decades.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has failed to crack down on peaceful demonstrations and negotiations between the two sides have been unsuccessful.
The protests represent a rare and important challenge for Modi, who took office in 2014 and defined the laws as necessary to modernize the country’s agriculture.
Farmers are the most influential electoral bloc in India and an important part of its economy.
Clashes between protesters and police turned violent on January 26, Republic Day of India, when a group of farmers left the protest route and invaded the capital’s historic Red Fort, leaving hundreds injured.
Since then, authorities have increased security at several protest sites, installing steel barricades to prevent protesters from entering the capital. The government also restricted access to mobile internet at some protest sites until Tuesday night.
The US State Department said in a statement to NBC News on Thursday that “We encourage any differences between the parties to be resolved through dialogue. In general, the United States welcomes measures that can improve the efficiency of India’s markets. and attract greater investment from the private sector. “
“We recognize that unrestricted access to information, including the Internet, is fundamental to freedom of expression and a hallmark of a thriving democracy,” added the spokesman.
Organizers condemned the violence, but refused to cancel the protest.
Last month, the Indian Supreme Court ordered an indefinite pause in the implementation of the laws. However, agricultural unions continue to demand total repeal of the legislation.
The leader of India’s main opposition Congressional party Shashi Tharoor said the damage done to the country’s global image by his government’s “undemocratic behavior” could not be restored by asking celebrities to tweet.
Tharoor said that the government to make “Indian celebrities react to Westerners is embarrassing”.
The Associated Press and Abigail Williams contributed.