3rd February 2021 • article
#FarmersProtests in India goes viral worldwide after support from international celebrities
Image: Twitter
The protests by farmers in India finally started gaining the world's attention after celebrities started tweeting about them.
The attention was welcomed by activists and farmers themselves, who have long been trying to raise awareness of what's going on.
The avalanche of support started when superstar Rihanna shared this with her 100 million followers
The climate change activist Greta Thunberg soon followed
Even 'God' joined in
Support also came from the niece of Vice President Kamala Harris
Climate change activist Vanessa Nakate
Actor John Cusack!?
Even boxer Kell Brook raised his voice.
The Indian government says they want to help farmers by reforming the agricultural sector. The bill would cut out the middleman ('mandi' system) by allowing farmers to sell directly to corporations, and bring in more corporate investment.
But farmers say the impact would be devastating. The vast majority of farmers in Panjab and neighbouring state Haryana are small landowners, and rely on the MSP (minimum support price) to survive. The new bill does away with that system and puts farmers at the mercy of big corporations. They could drive the 'mandi' out of business by undercutting them one year, and set their own prices next year. It would put already indebted farmers at the mercy of large corporations. Even the EU doesn't do that.
The reforms would also allow companies to hoard grains, which they aren't currently allowed to do. That would also make it easier for companies to artificially control prices and drive small farmers out of business, forcing them to sell their land.
The attention was welcomed by activists and farmers themselves, who have long been trying to raise awareness of what's going on.
The avalanche of support started when superstar Rihanna shared this with her 100 million followers
why aren’t we talking about this?! #FarmersProtest https://t.co/obmIlXhK9S
— Rihanna (@rihanna) February 2, 2021
The climate change activist Greta Thunberg soon followed
We stand in solidarity with the #FarmersProtest in India.
— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) February 2, 2021
https://t.co/tqvR0oHgo0
Even 'God' joined in
India: the world's largest soon-to-be-former democracy.https://t.co/pv4dCQuMeU
— God (@TheTweetOfGod) February 2, 2021
Support also came from the niece of Vice President Kamala Harris
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. https://t.co/yIvCWYQDD1 pic.twitter.com/DxWWhkemxW
— Meena Harris (@meenaharris) February 2, 2021
Climate change activist Vanessa Nakate
Let us talk about what is happening in India right now #FarmersProtest @LicypriyaK
— Vanessa Nakate (@vanessa_vash) February 2, 2021
Actor John Cusack!?
Amazing â¬‡ï¸ https://t.co/J8NmtVdBqQ
— John Cusack (@johncusack) January 29, 2021
Even boxer Kell Brook raised his voice.
Stop This Now!#JusticeForTheKisan pic.twitter.com/JKDvpOjYcd
— Kell Brook (@SpecialKBrook) January 30, 2021
Why are protests taking place?
The Indian government says they want to help farmers by reforming the agricultural sector. The bill would cut out the middleman ('mandi' system) by allowing farmers to sell directly to corporations, and bring in more corporate investment.
But farmers say the impact would be devastating. The vast majority of farmers in Panjab and neighbouring state Haryana are small landowners, and rely on the MSP (minimum support price) to survive. The new bill does away with that system and puts farmers at the mercy of big corporations. They could drive the 'mandi' out of business by undercutting them one year, and set their own prices next year. It would put already indebted farmers at the mercy of large corporations. Even the EU doesn't do that.
The reforms would also allow companies to hoard grains, which they aren't currently allowed to do. That would also make it easier for companies to artificially control prices and drive small farmers out of business, forcing them to sell their land.
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