"Our farmers are India's Food Soldiers.”
Actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas has shared her stance on the ongoing issue of the Indian farmers’ protests on December 6, 2020.
The Bollywood actress endorsed a tweet by Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh.
She also called for the farmers’ concerns about the government’s new agricultural laws to be addressed urgently.
Priyanka wrote on Twitter:
“Our farmers are India’s Food Soldiers. Their fears need to be allayed. Their hopes need to be met.
“As a thriving democracy, we must ensure that this crisis is resolved sooner than later.”
She quoted a tweet by Dosanjh in Punjabi showcasing the secular tone of the farmers’ movement.
Our farmers are India’s Food Soldiers. Their fears need to be allayed. Their hopes need to be met. As a thriving democracy, we must ensure that this crises is resolved sooner than later. https://t.co/PDOD0AIeFv
— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) December 6, 2020
Priyanka Chopra’s tweet in favour of the farmers amid their stand-off with the government bucked the trend of celebrities rarely taking a stand on social issues in India.
Indian celebrities often fear retribution from the government or its band of fanatical supporters who form an outsized constituency online.
Among other Indian celebrities that have issued support for Indian farmers is Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor Ahuja.
Sonam took to Instagram and shared photos of a few farmers protesting.
Alongside the images, Sonam wrote:
“When tillage begins, other arts follow. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of human civilisation.”
While Diljit, Priyanka and Sonam are pledging their support for Indian farmers, Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut has the opposite.
The actress trying to make an entrance in Indian politics has taken to calling out and ridiculing those supporting the farmers.
Kangana accused both actors of “misleading and encouraging” farmers’ protests.
She claimed that Dosanjh and Chopra would be hailed by “left media” and “given awards” for doing this.
Kangana took to Twitter and posted:
People like @diljitdosanjh and @priyankachopra will be hailed by the left media for misleading and encouraging farmers protests,pro Islamists and anti India film industry and brands will flood them with offers and English/living in colonial hangover media houses will (cont)
— Kangana Ranaut (Modi Ka Parivar) (@KanganaTeam) December 11, 2020
She added that “pro-Islamists” and “anti-India film industry and brands” will reward such people by flooding them with offers and awards.
In another tweet, Ranaut wrote:
“The problem is the whole system is designed to make anti-nationals flourish and grow.
“We are too less in numbers against a corrupt system, but I am sure magic will happen in every fight of GOOD versus EVIL, evil has been much stronger, JAI SHRI RAM.”
Felicitate them with awards, the problem is whole system is designed to make anti nationals flourish and grow and we are too less in numbers against a corrupt system, but I am sure magic will happen in every fight of GOOD versus EVIL, evil has been much stronger, JAI SHRI RAM ?
— Kangana Ranaut (Modi Ka Parivar) (@KanganaTeam) December 11, 2020
Meanwhile, the Indian government has initiated the fifth round of talks between leaders of farmer groups and ministers of the Central government.
They are attempting to end the deadlock over the new agriculture reforms by reaching an agreeable compromise with the farmers.