Jaswinder Singh Bains — known internationally as bhangra-rap star Jazzy B — says he was shocked when messages began coming in over the weekend from fans who couldn't see his Twitter account in India. He says he feels a connection to them and spent 25 days living among protesting farmers, some in their 70s or 80s, in November and December to "feel their pain." Pop superstar Rihanna and teen climate activist Greta Thunberg angered the Indian government in February after both tweeted support for farmers protesting new reforms passed in India last fall. India argues the new reforms allow farmers more freedom to sell directly to buyers, other states or large grocery chains. Singh says the backlash over social media commentary is so incendiary in India that it's frightened some social media staffers.

Source: CBC News June 10, 2021 21:31 UTC