Police vs Thunberg: FIR filed; still back farmers, says activist
NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police on Thursday said it has registered a case of criminal conspiracy and sedition against some social media accounts spreading fake news, including the author of a “toolkit” that guides people on how to support the farmers’ protests — a reference to Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg who had tweeted a link to the document.
Initial probe reveals that the toolkit appears to have been created by pro-Khalistani organisation, said Praveer Ranjan, special commissioner of police, adding that no one was named in the FIR. The police has filed a case under section 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race) and section 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), he said.
Soon after the FIR was filed, Thunberg doubled down and said she still stands with Indian farmers. “No amount of hate, threats or violations of human rights will ever change that,” she tweeted.
Earlier in the day, the 18-yearold environmental activist tweeted what she said was a “toolkit by people on the ground in India” to help the farmers, including backing the protest on social media, contacting foreign government representatives to ask them to act on the issue, signing online petitions and organising “on-ground action near the closest Indian Embassy, Media House or your local Govt. office on 13th/14th February”.
NEW DELHI : Delhi Police on Thursday said it has come across a document or ‘toolkit’ aimed at creating social disharmony and filed case against its author, without naming Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.
Cases have also been filed against social media accounts spreading fake news, added the police.
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg on Tuesday came out in support of the ongoing farmers’ protests. Her tweet came soon after American pop singer Rihanna tweeted a CNN article on farmers’ protest and partial internet suspension.
Extending her support to the protesters, Greta tweeted saying :”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 (They removed their previous document as it was outdated).”
Greta tweeted a document which had Rihanna’s name mentioned. This apparently proved that getting international figures to tweet for farmers’ protest is a “bigger” plan. Greta, however, deleted the link and tweeted a fresh link of an action document which too lists similar actions but it does not mention any name. After reports of FIR by the Delhi police, Greta on Thursday tweeted: “I still #StandWithFarmers and support their peaceful protest. No amount of hate, threats or violations of human rights will ever change that.”
The Delhi police has filed the case under Section 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race) and Section 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code. The international support has drawn flak as an international conspiracy to attack India’s democracy. Union ministers, BJP leaders, Bollywood and cricket personalities put their weight behind the message of India’s unity and urged their follower to not believe in rumours.
India had on Wednesday said criticism by foreign celebrities and attempts to “mobilise international support against India” on the government’s handling of the farmers’ protests without ascertaining facts were “neither accurate nor responsible” after comments by musician Rihanna and environmental activist Greta Thunberg, lawmakers in the US and UK, and several actors, activists and influencers sparked global clamour over the issue.
A statement from the external affairs ministry contended that “vested interest groups” were trying to enforce their agenda on the protests to derail them, and have tried to mobilise global support against India. In this context, the statement referred to “sensationalist social media hashtags and comments” by “celebrities and others” but didn’t name anyone.
Thousands of farmers, mostly from Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, have been protesting at border points into Delhi since November to demand a rollback of the three farm laws..
Meanwile, BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi took a swipe at Greta and said she would propose her name for child bravery award as the 18-year-old activist has done a “huge” service to the country by uploading the toolkit which according to Lekhi proves the conspiracy being hatched to destabilise India.
SWEDISH CLIMATE ACTIVIST GRETA THUNBERG ON TUESDAY CAME OUT IN SUPPORT OF THE ONGOING FARMERS’ PROTESTS WITH A ‘TOOTKIT’ TWEET