Greta Thunberg booked by Delhi Police for tweet on farmers' protests, charged with promoting enmity

04-02-2021

Delhi Police has lodged an FIR against teen climate change activist Greta Thunberg over her recent tweets on farmers' protests in India. Greta Thunberg posted on her Twitter account in solidarity with the farmers� agitation soon after pop icon Rihanna attracted attention towards the protests in India. In the first tweet on Tuesday night, Greta Thunberg wrote "We stand in solidarity with the #FarmersProtest in India" and shared a CNN article on the ongoing farmers' protest in India and how internet has been suspended around the Delhi borders. Her tweet followed that of Rihanna who brought global attention to the issue. In a follow-up tweet, Greta Thunberg wrote, "Here�s an updated toolkit by people on the ground in India if you want to help. (They removed their previous document as it was outdated.) #StandWithFarmers #FarmersProtest" and shared a document on details about the agitation. Delhi Police's FIR against Greta Thunberg has charged her with Section 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race) and Section 120B (criminal conspiracy). Delhi Police's action against the teen climate activist, who is also rumoured to have been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize this year, comes a day after the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement asking celebrities to refrain from sensationalising the issue for the sake of popular hashtags. On Wednesday, the Ministry of External Affairs said that it is �unfortunate� that some vested groups are garnering international support. In a detailed statement posted by MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava, India has 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 sensationalist social media hashtags and comments, especially when resorted to by celebrities and others, is neither accurate nor responsible." As soon as India slammed the global icons over their remarks on the farmers' protest, top Indian celebrities such as Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Karan Johar and cricketers Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli rallied behind the government to voice their support. Apart from the actors and cricketers, Union ministers too pushed the campaign against growing global support to the farmers' agitation. Home Minister Amit Shah wrote, "Propaganda can not decide India's fate only 'Progress' can. India stands united and together to achieve progress." Railway Minister Piyush Goyal added, "Fearing the growing power of India, international forces are conspiring to weaken our country, and the democracy of the country."