The advertisement featuring the farmers protest in India was broadcasted during the telecast of Super Bowl 2021 in California.
The broadcast of the farmer’s protest during the gaming event brought international attention to the ongoing sit-in in New Delhi. Super Bowl is America’s National Football League and 100 million viewers are expected to tune in to the live broadcast on CBC.
It is the most-watched league in America. Super Bowl is the platform where some of the world’s famous ads are launched annually. However, the broadcast of India’s farmer’s protests in the league besides the regular ads got international attention. The advertisement termed it the “largest protest in human history”.
It is unclear as to who paid for the expensive advertisement slot. Besides California, the ad was broadcasted in other states as well during the match of Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chief.
The advertisement also featured a famous quote from Martin Luther King Jr.
Last week, New Delhi Police had filed a case against climate activist, Greta Thunberg after she expressed solidarity with the protesting farmers in India.
The Indian police have accused Thunberg of “criminal conspiracy and promoting enmity on grounds of religion” reported NDTV. An FIR has been filed against her under Section 153 A and Section 120 B of the Indian constitution.
Thunberg had directed international attention towards the weeks-long farmer’s protest in New Delhi. In her tweet, she wrote, “We stand in solidarity with the #FarmersProtest in India.”
Read more: Delhi police registers FIR against Greta Thunberg for voicing support for farmers
Meanwhile, India’s Ministry of External Affairs had also issued a statement on Wednesday following a series of reactions from global personalities.
“Before rushing to comment on such matters, we would urge that the facts be ascertained, and a proper understanding of the issues at hand be undertaken. The temptation of sensationalist social media hashtags and comments, especially when resorted to by celebrities and others, is neither accurate nor responsible,” said the Ministry of External Affairs.
Before Thunberg, American singer, Rihanna reacted to the farmer’s protest that drew massive international attention to India.
A score of Indians and BJP politicians believe that American singer, Rihanna, is a Pakistani singer and agent after her pictures with Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari resurfaced.
Read more: Indian trolls share picture of Zulfikar Bukhari and Rihanna on Twitter
Lately, India has been in the spotlight globally but for negative reasons. The continued restrictions and human rights violations in IIOJK had stimulated international backlash. Now, the current farmer’s protest is exacerbating backlash towards India from several countries.
Meanwhile, the Indian government is adamant to solve the conflict through force rather than negotiations. Physical assault on farmers by law enforcement agencies triggered an uproar across the world. Disturbing videos and images of the Police beating poor and old farmers are making rounds on social media.