Ex-CM Devendra Fadnavis lashes out at MVA over its order to probe into the celebrity tweets on Farm Laws

Former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis today slammed the Uddhav Thackerey-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government for ordering a probe into tweets by celebrities including Bharat Ratna recipients Sachin Tendulkar and Lata Mangeshkar.

 A number of eminent personalities from different fields had tweeted in support of India following commentary by some international celebrities on the ongoing farmer protests. Some of the prominent personalities who tweeted in support of the country were Sachin Tendulkar, Lata Mangeshkar, Akshay Kumar, Anil Kumble, and Saina Nehwal.

Fadnavis’ reaction comes after the Maharashtra government announced to probe celebrities, including Bharat Ratna recipients such as cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and singer Lata Mangeshkar, who had tweeted in support of the Centre on farm laws.

Reacting to the decision, Fadnavis tweeted, “Disgusting and highly deplorable. Where is your Marathi Pride now? Where is your Maharashtra Dharma? We will never find such ‘ratnas’ (gems) in the entire Nation who order probes against Bharat Ratnas who always stand strong in one voice for our Nation.”

The Indian celebrities’ reactions had come following the MEA’s statement on comments by some international personalities on the farmers’ protest. The foreign ministry asked the international celebrities to ascertain facts about issues before commenting. It also gave two hashtags to counter the foreign commentary on social media.

After environmental activist Greta Thunberg, popstar Rihanna and others commented on the agrarian reforms, the Ministry of External Affairs made it clear that the farm reforms were enacted by the Parliament after a full debate and discussion.