Singer and businesswoman Rihanna on Tuesday tweeted about the situation in Delhi, sharing a news article about the farmers’ protests against the recently passed agriculture reforms.
why aren’t we talking about this?! #FarmersProtest https://t.co/obmIlXhK9S
— Rihanna (@rihanna) February 2, 2021
“Why aren’t we talking about this?!” she asked, using the hashtag #FarmersProtest.
Rihanna had shared the same CNN article about the internet shutdowns that was tweeted by Thunberg, wondering why “we weren’t talking about this”. Within hours, her tweet went viral, with a section of social media users lauding her for speaking up at a time when many Bollywood celebrities have remained silent on the matter.
Comedian and YouTuber Lilly Singh thanked Rihanna for speaking up about what she called a “humanity issue”, and affirmed that she stood in solidarity with the farmers.
Yes! Thank you so much @rihanna. This is a humanity issue! #IStandWithFarmers and this narrative is TIRED. ❤️ https://t.co/H0h5EM7mNW
— Lilly (@Lilly) February 2, 2021
Kenyan environment and climate activist and founder of the Green Generation Initiative Elizabeth Wathuti, while quoting a CNN article, wrote, “The big picture here is that India must begin to value the lives and well-being of its own citizens over the potential economic gains for its nation.”
American climate activist Jamie Margolin, too, said she stood with the farmers of India, and urged her followers to support their protest.
I stand with farmers of India! Please support the #FarmersProtest! @LicypriyaK https://t.co/eQxda34JX9
— Jamie Sarai Margolin (@Jamie_Margolin) February 2, 2021
United Kingdom MP Claudia Webbe thanked Rihanna for stepping forward “in an era where political leadership is lacking”. Solidarity to the Indian farmers, the British parliamentarian added.
Solidarity to the Indian Farmers.
Thank you Rihanna.
In an era where political leadership is lacking we are grateful for others stepping forward#FarmersProtest pic.twitter.com/jdZnGWURBl
— Claudia Webbe MP (@ClaudiaWebbe) February 2, 2021
Professor and writer Khaled Beydoun said he salutes Rihanna for bringing the much needed attention on the farmer protests – a movement that is being “silenced by Twitter and violently suppressed by the Modi government”.
https://twitter.com/KhaledBeydoun/status/1356670607644098562?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1356670607644098562%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fscroll.in%2Flatest%2F985789%2Fafter-rihanna-climate-activist-greta-thunberg-extends-support-to-farmer-protests
Global watchdog Human Rights Watch also shared Rihanna’s tweet on the farmer protests, noting that the Modi government “is presiding over a dangerous regression in free speech rights in pursuit of its Hindu nationalist agenda”.
The government of India’s Prime Minister Modi is presiding over a dangerous regression in free speech rights in pursuit of its Hindu nationalist agenda. https://t.co/Xevp0LgiKS #FarmersProtest pic.twitter.com/joQVCFqXGr
— Human Rights Watch (@hrw) February 2, 2021
