Thread by @PKashwan

"Why the Indian government is mad at Rihanna?"
This episode offers an insightful window into a complete breakdown of the rule of law and means of public accountability in India. #FarmersProtests #FarmersStandingFirm #Thread 1/n
vox.com/22264556/rihan… @jarielarvin via @voxdotcom

On Thursday, Delhi Police registered a criminal case against Greta Thunberg to probe international conspiracy to defame India & promote enmity among groups". They cited her tweets as an evidence in the case! No Kidding! #RightToProtest #FarmersProtest 2/n
deccanherald.com/national/farme…

Unfortunately @GretaThunberg is not the first climate activist to face the wrath of Delhi Police. In July 2020, they blocked the website of @FFFIndia, describing the contents of the website as “objectionable” & depicting an “unlawful or terrorist act”. 3/n thewire.in/environment/fr…

Delhi Police claimed later that the legal notice served against @FFFIndia under an anti-terrorism law resulted from a "clerical error." No kidding! #HumanRights @Fridays4future #ClimateJustice 4/n scroll.in/latest/968367/… Report from @kabira_tweeting via @scroll_in

This was govt of India's retaliation against FFI & other youth climate/environmental activists mobilizing against the government's efforts to exploit #COVID19 dilute Environmental Impact Assessment guidelines #EIA #RuleofLaw #India 5/n vice.com/en/article/qj4… @Shazamgram/@vice

A few brave journalists, e.g. @bahardutt, wrote about the Indian govt's vendetta against climate activists.The capitulation of India's corporate media to a right wing authoritarian regime is at the root cause of India's current political & environmental crisis. #PressFreedom 6/n

A complete breakdown of political accountability and the abuse of rule of law by the Indian state is a global story. Tweets frm @rihanain_, @GretaThunberg, & other celebrities daylight the Indian govt's repression of political dissent day in and day out. 7/n #FarmersProtest

Whether you are an advocate of free press, economic freedoms, or an environmental & climate activist, you cannot not pay attention to the ongoing event in India. The #FarmersProtest is not just about farmers, as @PSainath_org has been arguing for some time. Add your voice! 8/n

It probably does not saying but India will have to play an important role in the global efforts to fight global environmental change and the ongoing climate crisis. But, with the systematic decimation of Indian democracy, there is little hope of effective and enduring action. 9/n

Please support Indian social justice & human rights activists & journalists, who've braved this ruthless regime for past 6 years. Dozens of activists hv been in jails for years & without bail. 10/n
Release activists, @UNHumanRights urges India scroll.in/latest/984996/… @scroll_in

Specifically, if you are concerned about global environmental & climate crisis, support the fight for the rights of indigenous adivasis, dalits, & other rural communities. Solidarity with #EnvironmentalJustice activism will strengthen global efforts to fight climate crisis. 11/n

The Indian story has global lessons. Addressing the climate crisis requires addressing the underlying political crisis, as @arpithakodiveri & I argue in @epw_in: "Who Will Guard the Guardians? State Accountability in India's Environmental Governance" 12/12 epw.in/engage/article…