We have often seen Hollywood celebs sharing their love
for the rich culture and traditions of India. However, Tuesday evening
witnessed an outburst by singer Rihanna over the farmers’ protest that is
going on for over two months in parts of India.
Sharing a CNN article on the ongoing protest,
Rihanna, who has 101 million followers on Twitter, asked why nobody was talking
about it. Within hours her tweet got 528 thousand likes and 240 thousand re-tweets.
Though many Bollywood celebrities applauded the 32-year-old international pop
star for her move, one actress who didn’t like her post was Kangana Ranaut.
Ranaut not only declared Rihanna a fool but also
said that “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 the USA.”
In another tweet, Kangana, while replying to
comedian Ali Gul Pir and Rihanna, wrote, “Someone who can’t sell music without
making it sensual/adult. Unlike classical and genuine singers where the body is
of no consequence. A porn singer is hugely dependent on his/her flesh show off,
private parts exposure and mediocre talent. This makes them absolutely massy,
and junk.”
Soon after Rihanna posted her views on farmers’
protest, Canadian YouTuber Lilly Singh thanked her and also shared a post
addressing the issue. “Yes! Thank you so much @rihanna. This is a humanity
issue! #IStandWithFarmers and this narrative is TIRED. Red heart.”
Even Mia Khalifa , while sharing a photo from the Farmers protest, wrote
“What in the human rights violations is going on?! They cut the internet
around New Delhi?! #FarmersProtest.”
“Paid actors,” huh? Quite the casting director, I hope they’re not overlooked
during awards season. I stand with the farmers. #FarmersProtest,” her latest
tweet reads.
Soon after such international attention, the Ministry of External Affairs released
a statement calling it the “Temptation of sensationalist social media
hashtags, comments, especially by celebrities are neither accurate nor
responsible.”
Bollywood celebrities like Akshay Kumar, Anil Devgn, and Sunil Shetty, took to
their Twitter profiles to re-share the statement released by the ministry and
asked fans not to fall prey to propaganda.
“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. Folded
hands#IndiaTogether #IndiaAgainstPropaganda,” wrote Akshay while sharing the
post of Anurag Shrivastava, the official spokesperson of MEA.
Ajay Devgn also said that “don’t fall for any false propaganda against India or
Indian policies” and added that “Its important to stand united at this hour w/o
any infighting.”
