New Delhi (NVI): The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) today responded to the recent comments by foreign celebrities including US pop singer Rihanna in support of the ongoing farmers’ protest, calling them “neither accurate nor responsible”.
The MEA remarks came after international pop singer Rihanna and teenage climate change activist Greta Thunberg had tweeted in support of a month-long farmers’ protest in India.
In a detailed statement, the External Affairs Ministry said, “The temptation of sensationalist social media hashtags and comments, especially when resorted to by celebrities and others, is neither accurate nor responsible.”
“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 MEA advised.
The ministry also said that the farm laws were passed after debate and discussion in Parliament on India. “These reforms give expanded market access and provided greater flexibility to farmers. They also pave the way for economically and ecologically sustainable farming,” it said.
Asserting that a very small section of farmers in parts of India have some reservations about these reforms, the MEA said, the Government of India has initiated a series of talks with their representatives respecting the sentiments of the protestors.
It added that union ministers have been part of the negotiations, and eleven rounds of talks have already been held.
“The government has even offered to keep the laws on hold, an offer iterated by no less than the Prime Minister of India,” the statement read.
MEA also stated that, it is unfortunate to see vested interest groups trying to enforce their agenda on these protests, and derail them. This was egregiously witnessed on January 26.
“A cherished national commemoration, the anniversary of the inauguration of the Constitution of India, was besmirched, and violence and vandalism took place in the Indian capital,” the MEA said.
It added that these vested interest groups have also tried 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 for civilised society everywhere,” the MEA said.
Commenting on police forces for having handled the protests with utmost restraint, the MEA said, it must be noted that hundreds of policemen and women had been physically attacked, and in some cases stabbed and seriously wounded.
“We would like to emphasis that these protests must be seen in the context of India’s democratic ethos and polity, and the efforts of the government and the concerned farmer groups to resolve the impasse,” the MEA statement added.
-RJV
