Bollywood Town Props Up In Support of Farmers

In extremely chilly weather for many days, thousands of farmers in India are staging protests against the new agricultural laws that are promoting the efficiency of agriculture but utterly ignoring the well-being of the farmers.

According to an estimate, there are around 250 million farmers on the roads blocking the key highways and further threatening to intensify the protests against the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

In a state like India, where agriculture is an important sector of the Indian economy and contributes around 17% to the total GDP and generates over 60% of the employment in the state, these protests are rattling the Modi government.

The controversial Farm Ordinances were introduced in Lok Sabha (Legislative Assembly) on September 14 and got the presidential approval on September 27. Strong objections were made stating that these reforms would kill farming and the protests initially took off atop farmers’ houses in different states.

When the demands were not heard, the farmers came out on roads, blocked tracks and highways.
“Rail Roko” movement was initiated to stage the protests lasting till October and then the “Dehli Chalo” movement was started on November 25 which further intensified the situation.

Most of the farmers are from Punjab and Haryana. Punjab has been the food bowl of India and contributing the largest amount of food grains.

What the reforms are?

The new reforms are allowing big companies to directly deal with the farmers and hence, allowing them to exploit.

It also promotes contract farming and lifting up the ban from the storage of potatoes, onions, and pulses.

Farmers are concerned about eradication of wholesale markets and assured prices in case of a bad crop year which would leave them insignificant.

The government is trying to solve the burning issue with table talks. However, after five rounds of talks, the issue remained inextricable.

The protests by farmers in India are growing massive with the time and around 15 opposition parties have announced to back them and countrywide shutdown.

Bollywood Town backs protests

The Bollywood town, been the most influential industry, has also come up in the support of demonstrators.

The protests have garnered huge support from Bollywood stars including Priyanka Chopra, Sonam Kapoor, Preity Zinta, Sonu Sood, Richa Chadha, Parineeti Chopra, Riteish Deshmukh, and Gauahar Khan.

Priyanka Chopra tweeted that “Our farmers are India’s Food Soldiers”.

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 

Parineeti Chopra tweeted, “Had your Dinner? Thank a farmer”.

💕🙏💕🙏 @Its_Badshah pic.twitter.com/Ip7sNX6VCc

— Parineeti Chopra (@ParineetiChopra) December 5, 2020

However, Bollywood star, known for her controversial comments, Kangana Ranaut’s inclination towards ruling BJP is not hidden. She came up criticizing the farmers and commenting on massive protest show, the actress claimed that the people are offering services to become part of on-going agitation against “Rs.100”.

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Udta Punjab actor Diljit Dosanjh strongly condemn Kangana over her now-deleted tweet.

Respected MAHINDER KAUR JI 🙏🏾

Ah Sunn La Ni With Proof @KanganaTeam

Banda Ena V Ni Anna Hona Chaida..
Kush v Boli Turi jandi aa .. pic.twitter.com/Ie1jNGJ0J1

— DILJIT DOSANJH (@diljitdosanjh) December 2, 2020

Other stars too joined the bandwagon, criticized Kangana while praising Diljit for his stance.

I used to have immense respect for @KanganaTeam, I even tweeted in support when her office was demolished. I now think I was wrong, Kangana being a woman you should show the old lady some respect. If you have any ettiquete then apologise. Shame on you.. pic.twitter.com/FqKzE4mLjp

— King Mika Singh (@MikaSingh) December 3, 2020

The massive protests are gaining support from inside and also beyond borders. Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has also announced his support to the farmers and ongoing protests in India while addressing Sikh participants from across Canada.