A day after pop star Rihanna and several others waded into ongoing farmers' protest at the borders of Delhi against government's farm laws, the Ministry of External Affairs has reacted to the remarks, calling them inaccurate and irresponsible.
"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 temptation of sensationalist social media hashtags and comments, especially when resorted to by celebrities and others, is neither accurate nor responsible," a statement from the ministry said.
"We would like to emphasise that these protests must be seen in the context of India’s democratic ethos and polity, and the efforts of the Government and the concerned farmer groups to resolve the impasse," it added.
For the uninitiated, Rihanna on Tuesday extended her support to farmers protesting on the borders of India's capital against the three agriculture laws introduced by the Central government last year and asked why people were not talking about it.
Taking to Twitter, the 32-year-old pop star shared a news story by CNN on the internet shutdown in several districts of Delhi's neighbouring state Haryana after protestors broke barricades to enter New Delhi and clashed with police in several parts of the national capital during the January 26 'tractor rally' protest organised by farmers.
"Why aren`t we talking about this?!", wrote Rihanna, as she added the hashtag #FarmersProtest along with a news report on the micro-blogging site.
After Rihanna, Swedish climate activist and Nobel peace prize nominee Greta Thunberg also extended her support to the ongoing agitation of farmers against the three new farm laws, saying she stands in support with them.
"We stand in solidarity with the #FarmersProtest in India," Thurnberg tweeted.
The 18-year-old Thurnberg also shared a news article highlighting the actions taken by the Centre against the farmers, including cutting off internet services in many regions.
