Farmers' Protest in India
'Peaceful protests are hallmark of thriving democracy': US on farmers' protest
Washington/IBNS: At a time Indian celebrities spoke against the internationalisation of the farmers' protest, the United States on Wednesday said peaceful protests are a hallmark of a thriving democracy, a day after international pop star Rihianna and climate activist Greta Thunderg spoke on the same issue, media reports said.
"We recognise that peaceful protests are a hallmark of any thriving democracy and note that the Indian Supreme Court has stated the same," a State Department spokesperson said as quoted by The Indian Express.
The spokesperson also welcomed the agricultural reforms brought by the Narendra Modi government in India in a way saying, "In general, the United States welcomes steps that would improve the efficiency of India’s markets and attract greater private sector investment."
The statements came after several former Indian cricketers and Hindi film industry personalities, who are massively popular among 1.3 billion Indians, favoured the resolution of the stalemate without any foreign interference.
Almost with the same Twitter hashtags, cricketers legends Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble, current Indian captain Virat Kohli, Bollywood celebrities like Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn tweeted standing in solidarity with the country.
Prior to the series of tweets posted by the popular Indian personalities, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) called the "social media hashtags and comments" by celebrities "neither accurate nor responsible".
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.
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