With the Farmers’ protest set to enter day 13 on Tuesday, the support for them has been increasing subsequently. Sikhs in the US, Canada and the UK have been holding rallies in solidarity with Indian farmers. In the past few days, many celebrities have also come out in support of those protesting.
Many Punjab based celebrities and sportspersons have visited the protests sites. Recently, Olympian boxer Vijender Singh has said that if the Centre doesn’t repeal the three farms laws, he will return his Khel Ratna. Other athletes such as wrestler Kartar Singh, basketball player Sajjan Singh Cheema, and hockey player Rajbir Kaur have promised that they would return their Arjuna awards. Vijender also took a shot a Bollywood for not standing up with the farmers and said that this an opportunity for Bollywood to learn to stand up with their community.
Pro wrestler and actor Dalip Singh a.ka The Great Khali in WWE, was present at the Tikri border to show his support for the farmers’ protest. In a video posted on his Instagram handle, Dalip is seen shouting slogans along with the farmers.
Former Indian cricketers Harbhajan Singh and Navjot Singh Sidhu also took to Twitter in solidarity with the farmers protesting on the borders of the national capital. Harbhajan tweeted: ”The farmer is our provider. We should give a little time to the Annadata. Wouldn't it be reasonable? Can't we listen to them without a police confrontation? Please listen to the farmer too.”
Sidhu tweeted: “Triumph of the Punjabi Spirit...Kisan Morcha is Democratic, Pristine and Non-violent... Any Attempts by agencies to foil it - Will fail... Punjabiyat is our shield, Universal Brotherhood our philosophy and driving force!”
Meanwhile, a few actors and directors from Punjab and Bollywood have also expressed support for the farmers protesting against the farm laws.
Actor Priyanka Chopra took to Twitter to express her solidarity with the farmers, calling them India’s food soldiers and said that the crisis must be resolved sooner or later.
Actor and stand-up comedian Kapil Sharma took to Twitter to show his support for the farmers. In a tweet written in Hindi, Sharma said, “The issue of farmers should not be given a political colour, this issue should be resolved by negotiation. No issue is so big that it should not be resolved by negotiation. We are all with the peasant brothers. This is our provider.”
Actor Sonu Sood, who has gained popularity for helping guest workers during the pandemic, showed his support for the farmers with a simple yet strong tweet: “The farmers are India.” Farmers represent India since we are an agricultural country.
When water cannons were used against farmers, actor Swara Bhaskar took to Twitter asking what kind of cruelty is being unleashed on the farmers.
Actors Sonam Kapoor, Chitrangada Singh, Gul Panag and Taapsee Pannu also took to social media to express their support for the farmers.
But among all, it was actor Diljit Dosanjh who was quite active at the protest site and has been outspoken on the farmers’ protests and the media’s coverage of the protests.
When actor Kangana Ranaut called the farmers as “terrorist” and spread misinformation on Twitter, Diljit did not hold back and both ended up having an ugly Twitter spat.
Meanwhile, the farmers have said that the Tuesday’s Bharat Bandh will be peaceful and added that the strike will take place from 11am to 3pm so that the common man can go to their offices and not be affected by the strike.
