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dpa
New Delhi
India’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday condemned social media comments by international celebrities on ongoing farmers’ protests, saying that “vested interest groups” were trying to mobilise support against the government.
“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.
“The temptation of sensationalist social media hashtags and comments, especially when resorted to by celebrities and others, is neither accurate nor responsible.”
Pop star Rihanna, environment activist Greta Thunberg and lawmakers from the United States and Britain were among those to put out Twitter posts in support of the protesting farmers.
Tens of thousands of farmers have been protesting at the borders of the Indian capital since the end of November over a set of new farm laws.
The protesting farmers say the laws which ease regulations around storage, marketing and sale will leave them to the mercy of big corporations and want them repealed.
The government says the laws will modernize the farming sector and increase farm incomes.
The Foreign Ministry said the laws had been passed by parliament after a full debate and only a small section of farmers had reservations on these reforms.
The government had held talks with representatives of these farmers and even offered to put the laws on hold, the ministry statement said.
“Yet, it is unfortunate to see vested interest groups trying to enforce their agenda on these protests, and derail them,” the statement said, referring to violence and vandalism by a group of protesters who entered the capital on January 26.
“Some of these vested interest groups have also tried to mobilize international support against India,” it added.
The prolonged protest appears to have rattled the Modi government, which returned to power with an overwhelming majority in 2019 general elections.
The police have been fortifying cement barricades with concertina wire, embedding nails in the road at one site and digging trenches at others to stop farmers from entering Delhi again.
The police is probing the violent incidents of January 26, which included vandalism inside the iconic Red Fort monument and assaults on policemen. At least 150 people have been arrested.
A forum of farmers’ unions said the government had disconnected electricity and water supplies, suspended the internet and social media accounts and removed mobile toilets at the protest sites.
The entry of media representatives to the protest sites is being prevented by the government, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha said.
Two major farmers’ forums have said roads will be blocked across the region on Saturday as part of their protest programme.
“It is a matter of pride that eminent personalities of the world are showing sensitivity towards the cause of farmers, but unfortunate the government does not understand our pain,” farmers’ union leader Darshan Pal said.
“But our protest is growing stronger by the day,” Pal added. He said village councils had held meetings in several states and decided that large numbers of farmers would travel to Delhi in the coming days.
New Delhi
India’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday condemned social media comments by international celebrities on ongoing farmers’ protests, saying that “vested interest groups” were trying to mobilise support against the government.
“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.
“The temptation of sensationalist social media hashtags and comments, especially when resorted to by celebrities and others, is neither accurate nor responsible.”
Pop star Rihanna, environment activist Greta Thunberg and lawmakers from the United States and Britain were among those to put out Twitter posts in support of the protesting farmers.
Tens of thousands of farmers have been protesting at the borders of the Indian capital since the end of November over a set of new farm laws.
The protesting farmers say the laws which ease regulations around storage, marketing and sale will leave them to the mercy of big corporations and want them repealed.
The government says the laws will modernize the farming sector and increase farm incomes.
The Foreign Ministry said the laws had been passed by parliament after a full debate and only a small section of farmers had reservations on these reforms.
The government had held talks with representatives of these farmers and even offered to put the laws on hold, the ministry statement said.
“Yet, it is unfortunate to see vested interest groups trying to enforce their agenda on these protests, and derail them,” the statement said, referring to violence and vandalism by a group of protesters who entered the capital on January 26.
“Some of these vested interest groups have also tried to mobilize international support against India,” it added.
The prolonged protest appears to have rattled the Modi government, which returned to power with an overwhelming majority in 2019 general elections.
The police have been fortifying cement barricades with concertina wire, embedding nails in the road at one site and digging trenches at others to stop farmers from entering Delhi again.
The police is probing the violent incidents of January 26, which included vandalism inside the iconic Red Fort monument and assaults on policemen. At least 150 people have been arrested.
A forum of farmers’ unions said the government had disconnected electricity and water supplies, suspended the internet and social media accounts and removed mobile toilets at the protest sites.
The entry of media representatives to the protest sites is being prevented by the government, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha said.
Two major farmers’ forums have said roads will be blocked across the region on Saturday as part of their protest programme.
“It is a matter of pride that eminent personalities of the world are showing sensitivity towards the cause of farmers, but unfortunate the government does not understand our pain,” farmers’ union leader Darshan Pal said.
“But our protest is growing stronger by the day,” Pal added. He said village councils had held meetings in several states and decided that large numbers of farmers would travel to Delhi in the coming days.
