Rihanna supports Indian farmers and the government on anger about her

A tweet by pop star Rihanna in support of Indian farmers, who have been protesting three government-approved agricultural laws for months, has sparked the ire of the New Delhi government. Also because the singer's initiative was liked by other famous people who followed suit.

"Why aren't we talking about this?" Rihanna chirped following #FarmersProtest, the hashtag that marks the revolt on social media and sharing an article from CNN on the clashes between farmers and the police.

The pop star's message, which has 101 million followers, was retweeted over 240,000 times in hours . Users have also coined an ad hoc hasthag , #RihannaSupportsIndianFarmers. Greta Thunberg also shared the same article from CNN expressing "solidarity with peasant protests in India" and lawyer Meena Harris, founder of the Phenomenal Woman Action Campaign and granddaughter of the US vice president, wrote: "We should all be outraged by the blockade of internet and paramilitary violence against farmers in protest ». India has suspended mobile network services in three areas around the capital where tens of thousands of farmers have camped out to protest the new rules.

The response of the Indian government was not long in coming. In a note, the Foreign Ministry urged " foreign personalities" and "celebrities" to understand the facts before commenting on them. The Parliament, the statement reads, approved "a reform of the agricultural sector" after an extensive debate. "Using hashtags and sensational comments on social media is neither accurate nor responsible." New Delhi authorities also ordered Twitter to remove accounts and content linked to the hashtag #farmergenocide (genocide of farmers) threatening legal action. In recent days, the social network had blocked 250 profiles following a request from the government on January 30, but most of the accounts were subsequently restored.

However, not everyone in Bollywood liked the mobilization of the stars. Actress Kangana Ranaut tweeted against Thunberg and Rihanna, calling the former a spoiled brat and the second a fool.

Last Friday, farmers stormed the Red Fort, the historic fortress of Old Delhi, a symbol of Indian independence from the British, the one from which the premier gives his commemorative speech to the nation every year.