Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg, who supported the farmers' protest in India through a tweet, has landed herself in a controversy after her post was deleted on the micro-blogging platform leaving the netizens agitated. Other international celebrities also followed the trend and shared their concerns with the farmers. Also Read: Republic Day Violence: Priyanka Gandhi Leaves For Rampur To Meet Family Of Navreet Singh Who Died During Tractor Rally
What was a controversial Tweet?
Thunberg tweets included a toolkit (a document) that had a detailed mention of the widespread protests across the world over the issue. However, the access to document was restricted and later deleted after it created an uproar. The document in Thunberg's tweet showed details about January 26 protests and other street protests. The screenshots of the documents were widely shared on social media.
Her previous tweet is seen as a conspiracy being hatched at the international level to defame India over the farmers' stir. Later, Thunberg updated another Tweet claiming that the document was removed because it was dated. She also posted a link to the 'updated toolkit'. The document titled 'Farmers Protest In India' says, “Organise an on-ground action near the closest Indian embassy, media house, or your local government office on February 13 and 14. Share pictures on social media using the hashtag #FarmersProtest #StandWithFarmers.”
Apart from Thunberg, other celebrities also Tweeted on the issue including pop icon Rihanna who shared a CNN article about suspension of internet at sites where farmers are protesting. "Why aren’t we talking about this?!" she tweeted adding the hashtags #FarmersProtest.
How celebrities reacted?
Back home, actress Kangana Ranaut also criticised the young activist for her actions on Tiwtter saying the dumbo kid made the biggest blunder.
Several other personalities in the country also took to the platform to express their opinion including former Indian cricket captain Sachin Tendulkar who said that India's sovereignty cannot be compromised and external forces cannot become participants.
On the other hand, a statement from the ministry of external affairs (MEA) said that criticism by foreign celebrities and attempts to “mobilise international support against India” on the government’s handling of the farmers’ protests without ascertaining facts were “neither accurate nor responsible”.
The MEA statement stated that “vested interest groups” were trying to enforce their agenda on the protests to derail them, and have tried to mobilise global support against India. In this context, the statement referred to “sensationalist social media hashtags and comments” by “celebrities and others” but refrained from naming anyone.