Rihanna highlights plight of Indian farmers with a simple tweet

Getty Images for Fenty Beauty

Rihanna has been praised for raising awareness of the Indian farm protests with one simple Tweet.

Using her platform of over 101million followers the singer and designer asked “Why aren’t we talking about this?! #FarmersProtest” as she shared an article about the Indian government turning off the internet to scupper more protests.

A 48-hour internet shutdown was enacted in areas around Delhi borders with India's Ministry of Home Affairs saying the move was "in the interest of maintaining public safety and averting public emergency."

Following Rihanna's tweet, other high-profile names including teenage activist Greta Thunberg, US Vice President Kamala Harris's niece Meena Harris and model Mia Khalifa showed their solidarity with the farmers.

Thunberg shared the same article, writing: "We stand in solidarity with the #FarmersProtest in India."

Harris, a lawyer and author, wrote: "It's no coincidence that the world's oldest democracy was attacked not even a month ago, and as we speak, the most populous democracy is under assault. This is related. We ALL should be outraged by India's internet shutdowns and paramilitary violence against farmer protesters."

Rihanna's tweet sparked fierce debate below the line as activists and celebrities questioned her motives.

Former Surrey cricketer Pragyan Ojha replied: “My country is proud of our farmers and knows how important they are, I trust it will be addressed soon. We don’t need an outsider poking her nose in our internal matters!”

Indian trolls opposing Rihanna's perceived meddling sent supportive tweets to Chris Brown, who was charged with assaulting Rihanna in 2009, glorifying the attack.

Rihanna for Esquire

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But the Shut Up and Drive singer tweet had the desired effect with India's external affairs ministry forced to put out a statement saying their new legislation followed full debate and discussion.

It also said: "The temptation of sensationalist social media hashtags and comments, especially when resorted to by celebrities and others, is neither accurate nor responsible."

Indian farmers have been blocking major highways on the outskirts of New Delhi for months and say they will not move until the government repeals what they call the “black laws” passed by Parliament in September.

The farmers believe the new laws, allow market forces to venture freely into the farm sector in India and will favour the billionaire industrialist, who is widely believed to be close to Modi.

Farmers fear the government will stop buying grain at minimum guaranteed prices and corporations will then push prices down despite reports that Modi is willing to pledge that guaranteed prices will continue.

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