After almost a year of demonstrations by farmers across the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the repeal of three contentious agriculture regulations on Friday, November 19. For various reasons, the protests have stayed in the news since then. They also received international notice as a result of celebrities raising the issue.
Here are some of the world’s leading figures who worked to raise awareness about the problem:
MIA KHALIFA
Mia Khalifa, a Lebanese model, tweeted in support of the farmers, mocking claims that individuals were bribed to tweet in their favour.
“Paid actors,” huh? Quite the casting director, I hope they’re not overlooked during awards season. I stand with the farmers. #FarmersProtest pic.twitter.com/moONj03tN0
— Mia K. (@miakhalifa) February 3, 2021
RIHANNA
The protests attracted international attention last year when singer and actor Rihanna said, “Why aren’t we talking about this?” on February 2, 2020. In the post, she published a news report about the farmers’ protests, which received over 3 lakh retweets and landed her in hot water.
why aren’t we talking about this?! #FarmersProtest https://t.co/obmIlXhK9S
— Rihanna (@rihanna) February 2, 2021
GRETA THUNBERG
Greta Thunberg, a Swedish climate activist, also tweeted the report, saying, “We stand in solidarity with the #FarmersProtest in India.”
We stand in solidarity with the #FarmersProtest in India.
https://t.co/tqvR0oHgo0— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) February 2, 2021
AMANDA CERNY
When American vlogger Amanda Cerny was ridiculed for her support for farmers, she came out in favour of Rihanna. Cerny stated that she will always be a supporter of “fundamental human rights.”
https://twitter.com/AmandaCerny/status/1357098158837420038?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1357098158837420038%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.indiatoday.in%2Fworld%2Fstory%2Frihanna-to-mia-global-celebs-indian-farmers-protest-against-farm-laws-1878597-2021-11-19
HASAN MINHAJ
Comedian Hasan Minhaj had called on people to understand the protests.
https://twitter.com/hasanminhaj/status/1357086567781851136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1357086567781851136%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.indiatoday.in%2Fworld%2Fstory%2Frihanna-to-mia-global-celebs-indian-farmers-protest-against-farm-laws-1878597-2021-11-19
MEENA HARRIS
Meena Harris, the niece of US Vice-President Kamala Harris, stated the “world’s most populous democracy” is under attack and that “we must be furious.”
https://twitter.com/meena/status/1356747965713371138?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1356747965713371138%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.indiatoday.in%2Fworld%2Fstory%2Frihanna-to-mia-global-celebs-indian-farmers-protest-against-farm-laws-1878597-2021-11-19
LILLY SINGH
YouTuber Lilly Singh wore a ‘I stand with farmers’ mask on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards in March. She later posted an Instagram photo of herself wearing the mask.
Such international support, according to the Indian government and members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, such as Sambit Patra and Kiren Rijiju, is a “international conspiracy to malign India.”
