Internet access remained blocked Monday in several districts of a state bordering India’s capital following violent weekend clashes between police and farmers protesting controversial agricultural reforms.
After a tweet by pop superstar Rihanna, extending support to protesting farmers, drew global attention, India has accused “foreign individuals” and celebrities of “sensationalism”
Hours after the singer’s tweet, teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg and the US vice president’s niece Meena Harris also tweeted support for the farmers. Their widely shared tweets went viral, garnering thousands of responses.
In a statement on Wednesday, India’s external affairs ministry said parliament had passed “reformist legislation relating to the agricultural sector” after a full debate and discussion.
“The temptation of sensationalist social media hashtags and comments, especially when resorted to by celebrities and others, is neither accurate nor responsible,” it added.
Rihanna’s tweet on Tuesday linked to a news story about the internet blockade at the protest sites.
why aren’t we talking about this?! https://t.co/obmIlXhK9S
— Rihanna (@rihanna)