Farmers' Protest: Temptation of celebrities' sensationalist social media hashtags, comments not responsible, says MEA

In a strong worded response, MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said, "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 sensionalist social media hashtags and comments, especially when resorted to by celebrities and others, is neither accurate nor responsible."

Srivastava has alleged some "vested interest groups" are trying to "mobilise international support against India".

"Instigated by such fringe elements, Mahatma Gandhi statues have been desecrated in parts of the world. This is extremely disturbing for India and civilised society everywhere," he added.

International pop star Rihanna on Tuesday extended her support to the farmers' protest in India's national capital against the Centre's three contentious agricultural laws.

She has condemned the internet shutdown aimed at crippling the movement.

Sharing a news article about the internet shut down, Rihanna tweeted: "why aren’t we talking about this?! #FarmersProtest."

After Rihanna, teen climate activist Greta Thunberg extended her support to the protesting farmers in India on Wednesday.

She tweeted: "We stand in solidarity with the #FarmersProtest in India."

On Jan 26, the situation went out of control after the tractor rally, which was called by the protesters, turned violent as several farmers broke police barricades, vandalised government properties and stormed into the Red Fort to implant a Sikh flag, injuring over 100 police personnel and causing the death of one peasant.

Several supporters of farmers' protest openly criticised them on social media over the violence that erupted during their rally.

The Centre has also beefed up security at the protesting sites with the further strengthening of barricades.

For instance, at the Delhi-Haryana border, iron rods have been placed between two rows of cement barriers on a flank of the main highway by police which are controlled by the Centre.

More than 10 rounds of talks were held between the representatives of farmers and the government but with no solution to the deadlock, as the protesters demanded the withdrawal of the three contentious farm laws and a legal guarantee to the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their crops.

Since Nov 26, 2020, thousands of farmers have gathered at the border of Delhi, which houses the Prime Minister's residence, protesting against the three new farm laws which were enacted by the Centre through an Ordinance and later controversially passed by Parliament.