Rihanna and Greta prompt an MEA outburst

Rihanna and Greta prompt an MEA outburst — and a hashtag firestorm

By Dilip - Wednesday, February 03, 2021

NB: 42,480 Indian farmers and daily-wage workers dependent on agriculture committed suicide in 2019; 28 Indians dependent on farming commit suicide every day (some estimates are much higher). About 300,000 famers had committed suicide by 2014; we can estimate how many more have killed themselves since then. There is also the suspicion the figures are higher than various state governments admit. The government has stopped publishing data on farmer suicides after 2015. In the face of this calamity, our celebrity twits get galvanised into action only when Rihanna notices the kisan agitation. What a pathetic joke. DS

Rihanna and Greta prompt an MEA outburst — and a hashtag firestorm

In a highly unusual move that has raised eyebrows, the government Wednesday slammed “celebrities and others” for their comments in support of farmer protests, calling them “neither accurate nor responsible”. This came after pop icon Rihanna, teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg and lawyer-author Meena Harris, niece of US Vice President Kamala Harris, spoke out on the farmer protests. The Ministry of External Affairs, in an official statement, 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....”.

Day after Rihanna post, celebrities speak up for government

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated: “Motivated campaigns targeting India will never succeed. We have the self confidence today to hold our own. This India will push back.” Defending the farm laws, the MEA gave a full account of the process: “The Parliament of India, after a full debate and discussion, passed reformist legislation relating to the agricultural sector. These reforms give expanded market access and provide greater flexibility to farmers. They also pave the way for economically and ecologically sustainable farming.”

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rihanna-farmers-protest-mea-7173657/

NB: Our External Affairs Minister says “The Parliament of India, after a full debate and discussion, passed reformist legislation relating to the agricultural sector. (emphasis added) " This is false and the minister knows it. The Bills which affect the lives of millions were passed hastily, with no regard to due process. Had due process been followed, there was a good chance the Bills would have been rejected. Here are some comments:

Modi govt’s hasty passage of farm Bills shows there is nosanctity to law-making in India

Parliament passes 2 farm bills amid ruckus by Opposition MPs

The Way Farm Bills Passed in Rajya Sabha Shows Decline in Culture of Legislative Scrutiny

Interested readers can research this further.

The Minister also said "This India will push back". The implication of this remark is that India under Jawaharlal Nehru or Lal Bahadur Shastri or Mrs Gandhi was a pushover. This exemplifies the machismo imagery with which this government likes to clothe itself. It's pathetic, especially as it seems to be flexing its muscles in response to two foreign civilians with no official connection whatever.

Here's what a senior opposition politician (Mr Chidambaram) has to say about this: “It is good that Rihanna and Greta Thunberg can wake up the MEA. Come on MEA, when will you realize that people concerned with issues of human rights and livelihoods do not recognize national boundaries? Why did MEA comment on the military coup in Myanmar? Why is it “deeply concerning” to the MEA? Why does MEA regularly comment on issues that are “internal” to Sri Lanka and Nepal? Why did the PM of India comment on the assault on the Capitol building in Washington by the Trump storm troopers? It is sad that someone erudite and worldly wise like Mr S Jaishankar should allow such puerile reactions by the MEA.”

He forgot to remind our Foreign Minister and our slippery celebrities that in July 2019, our Prime Minister visited the USA, where in a massive public meeting, in the presence of the now-disgraced President Trump, uttered the words Abki baar Trump Sarkar: ('And this time, a Trump government'). You can read more about this event and the controversy that followed it here. I will add that our celebrities do not seem to be in a tweeting frenzy when it comes to farmers and village labourers committing suicide year after year.

That this government feels threated by a musician and a child environment activist speaks for its fragile sense of self-respect. That it can resort to blatant falsehood is something we are used to. Rihanna has been much appreciated in India too. She has over 100 million Twitter followers. Lets hope they, along with millions of Indians at home and abroad, can follow our agricultural crisis with sympathy and understanding. Noam Chomsky sums up the need for international solidarity better than most. DS