Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha recites poem in support of farmers
'Nazarein milake, khud se poocho - kyun?'
Mumbai, Feb 11: Doubling down on her support to the farmers protesting against the three agri laws passed by the Centre, actor Sonakshi Sinha has narrated a heartfelt poem, described as a "tribute to the hands that feed us".
The 33-year-old actor, who first expressed solidarity with the farmers last week, shared a video on Instagram on Wednesday evening to share her thoughts about the protesting farmers.
The 1 minute 19 second-long clip captures the visuals of the distressed farmers, who have gathered at various border points of Delhi since November last year as part of their protest against the Centre's farm laws.
According to Sinha, the Hindi poem was penned by Varad Bhatnagar, and the video was shot and conceptualised by Gursanjam Singh Puri.
"Nazarein milake, khud se poocho - kyun? A tribute to the hands that feed us... a beautiful poem written by @varadbhatnagar. Shot and conceptualized by @gursanjam.s.puri and narrated by me. #farmersprotest," she captioned the post.
"Why? Everybody is asking this question. Why have we got down on the roads? Leaving behind the fields, why have we stepped into these cities? These hands that would once plow the fields why have we now got into this politics?" Sinha asks as she recites the poem in the video.
She further questioned why the elders and children, who are out on the roads to protest, are labelled as rioters.
"Do they look like rioters? Why? Can't they all ask for their own rights? Why? Everyone enjoys the meal that we all have can't we all stand for them? Why? Ask yourself, why?" the actor asks as she urges people to show solidarity with the farmers.
Sinha first voiced her views on the ongoing agitation after international pop singer Rihanna drew attention to the protests via her now viral tweet.
"Why aren't we talking about this? #FarmersProtest," Rihanna wrote on February 2 as she shared a CNN news report headlined, 'India cuts internet around New Delhi as protesting farmers clash with police.'
Days after Rihanna's tweet, Sinha shared quotes on her Instagram Stories from a page called storysellers comics, which said the voices raised by international celebrities are "about the violation of human rights, suppression of free internet and expression, state propaganda, hate speech, and abuse of power."
Last week, the government had criticised the tweets by Rihanna and other international celebrities, saying facts must be ascertained before people rushing to comment on the issue, calling it "neither accurate nor responsible".
One of the Stories on Sinha's profile also dismissed the argument that it was India's internal matter, saying, "these are not alien species but fellow humans who are speaking up for the rights of other humans."
The "Dabangg" actor is among few celebrities from Bollywood including Taapsee Pannu, Richa Chadha, Swara Bhasker, Ali Fazal, Sushant Singh, among others, who have been actively participating in the discourse around the farm bills.
Thousands of farmers have been camping at Delhi's borders since November demanding the repeal of three new agriculture laws that they say will end the minimum support price (MSP) based procurement of crops like wheat and paddy by the government and usher in big corporates into the farm sector.
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It has been testing time, not just for us, but entire global community: MEA on West Asia situation
New Delhi (PTI): As the conflict in West Asia widened with global ramifications, India on Thursday said the situation has been a "testing time", not just for the country, but the entire global community.
At an inter-ministerial briefing here on the West Asia situation, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also said, "We continue to remain in touch with concerned countries to ensure our energy security needs are met."
The raging conflict in the region entered its 20th day on Thursday.
The West Asia conflict began on February 28 when the US-Israel combine launched military strikes on Iran. In retaliation, Tehran has targeted Gulf countries hosting US military bases.
"Yes, it has been a testing time, not just for us, but the entire global community. Our leaders have been in touch with their counterparts, as I just spoke about the conversation between our prime minister and the Crown Prince of Kuwait. Similarly, we have been in touch with several other leaders," Jaiswal said.
The two leaders exchanged views on the evolving situation in West Asia and expressed concern over recent developments. The prime minister reiterated India's condemnation of attacks on Kuwait's sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said.
The prime minister also underlined the importance of ensuring safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Both leaders agreed that sustained diplomatic engagement remains essential for ensuring regional peace and stability.
He was asked if the West Asia conflict situation has proven to be a test of New Delhi's diplomatic approach in challenging global scenarios.
"Couple of days back you saw that because of our engagement, we were able to... and with talks and diplomacy with several of the stakeholders, we were able to get two of our LPG ships through the Strait of Hormuz," he added.
The MEA spokesperson said India "continues to remain in touch with several stakeholders in this matter, so that we can ensure our energy security needs, as also at the same time, ensure well-being and safety of our Indian nationals, diaspora, present in large number in this region".
"So, our diplomatic efforts continue, and we are committed to taking care of our interests," he asserted.
Later, at his weekly media briefing, Jaiswal said India has been saying that there has to be an "early end to this conflict" through the path of dialogue and diplomacy.
The West Asia conflict has stretched into three weeks, with an Israeli attack on Iran's strategic gas fields of South Pars resulting in an intense Iranian retaliation on key energy infrastructure in several Gulf nations, including Qatar's LNG (liquefied natural gas) hub of Ras Laffan, triggering global concerns.
Qatar accounts for nearly 40 per cent of India's LNG requirement.
The MEA in a statement said the strikes are "unacceptable and need to cease" even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached out to top leaders of Oman, France and Malaysia, emphasising the urgency to restore peace in the volatile region.
New Delhi described the attacks on the gas infrastructure as "deeply disturbing" and said that assaults will only serve to further destabilise an already uncertain energy market globally.
Additional Secretary (Gulf), Ministry of External Affairs, Aseem R Mahajan, said the MEA continues to "closely monitor" the developments in the Gulf and wider West Asia region, with the safety, security and welfare of the Indian community remaining the highest priority.
Since February 28, around 2.8 lakh passengers have returned from the region to India.
In the UAE, limited non-scheduled flights continue to operate, with around 75 flights on March 18, and about 90 flights expected later on Thursday from various airports to India, Mahajan said.
Flights continue to operate from Oman and Saudi Arabia to India. Qatar airspace remains partially open, with Qatar Airways operating non-scheduled flights, including nine flights to India on Thursday, he added.
Kuwait airspace has remained closed since February 28; special non-scheduled flights by Jazeera Airways are being operated from Al-Qaisumah Airport in Saudi Arabia, with the first flight to Cochin scheduled on Friday.
Bahrain airspace remains closed, with Gulf Air operating special flights from Dammam in Saudi Arabia and additional services expected.
For Indian nationals in Kuwait, Bahrain and Iraq, where airspace remains restricted, transit through Saudi Arabia continues to be facilitated, particularly for emergency cases, the MEA official said.
On the 15 Indian crew members of MT Safesea Vishnu who were rescued, he said they have departed from Iraq and are "expected to return to India shortly".
The Mission remains in contact with the crew and Iraqi authorities to facilitate their return and to expedite repatriation of the mortal remains of the deceased Indian national, he said.
The government told reporters that all Indian seafarers in the region are safe and no shipping incident involving Indian-flagged vessels has been reported in the past 24 hours.
At present, 22 Indian-flagged vessels with 611 Indian seafarers remain in the western Persian Gulf region, with DG Shipping continuing close monitoring in coordination with ship owners and Indian Missions.
Jaiswal, on a query regarding fertilisers supply, said, "Our fertiliser situation at this point in time, especially for kharif 2026, we have adequate stock, so we are comfortable. The Department of Fertilisers has also put out global tenders well in advance in anticipation of the current situation, and these have received a very good response. We expect the bulk of the quantities ordered from a variety of sources to arrive by the end of March."
