- Indian Supreme Court has also stated that protests are hallmark of thriving democracy, reminds US Embassy spokesperson
- Congresswoman Ilhan Omar had also tweeted India must protect their basic democratic rights.
- Meena Harris who is also the niece of US Vice President Kamala Harris had also tweeted in support of India’s farmers
New Delhi : The US has backed the on-going farmers’ protests in India by stating that it recognised that peaceful protests are a hallmark of any thriving democracy and the Indian Supreme Court had also said the same.
“We encourage that any differences between the parties be resolved through dialogue. In general, the US welcomes steps that would improve the efficiency of India’s markets and attract greater private sector investment,” as per remarks by a US Embassy spokesperson.
The response comes a day after the Ministry of External Affairs criticised celebrities and other users of social media for rushing to comment on the on-going protests. Pop icon Rihanna and social activist Greta Thurnberg had earlier tweeted in support of the protesting farmers.
On internet restrictions, the spokesperson said that India recognised that unhindered access to information, including the internet, was fundamental to the freedom of expression and a hallmark of a thriving democracy.
Solidarity with all the farmers across India protesting for their livelihood.
India must protect their basic democratic rights, allow for the free flow of information, reinstate internet access, and release all the journalists detained for covering the protests. https://t.co/uOvwNkIu5n
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) February 3, 2021
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar had also tweeted in favor of protesting farmers .“Solidarity with all the farmers across India protesting for their livelihood. India must protect their basic democratic rights, allow for the free flow of information, reinstate internet access, and release all the journalists detained for covering the protests.”
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 (@meena) February 2, 2021
Earlier American lawyer-activist Meena Harris who is also the niece of US Vice President Kamala Harris had also tweeted in support of India’s farmers saying, “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.”
Half truth typical.
“We recognize that PEACEFUL protests are a hallmark of any thriving democracy, and note that the Indian Supreme Court has stated the same. We encourage that any differences between the parties be resolved through dialogue. In general, the United States welcomes steps that would improve the efficiency of India’s markets and attract greater private sector investment,” a statement from the U.S. Embassy said.