India investigates who's behind Climate teen Thunberg's social media support for country's farmers
The well-known teenager is a large figure in the climate movement, however an accidental post encouraging Indian protests now has her accused of international conspiracy to defame India.
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg mistakenly posted, then quickly deleted a "suggested posts'' document that appears to show the 18-year-old is told what to post on her social media account in the widespread support of India farmers opposed to new government regulations.
The instructions explain how Thunberg can maximize her audience outreach, keying on new agricultural laws in India that have sparked tens of thousands to protest for months.
The country's parliament passed three farm bills in September 2020 that appear to hit the smaller, more independent farmers the hardest. The related protests have raised the concern that they could lead to an effort to overthrow the government.
The mistaken post is on a Twitter post by the website Breaking 911 and appears to show a list of tips and strategies, like reposting and tagging influential celebrities such as Rihanna.
Several different formats on what and who she should bring to light are also displayed in the document. Also contained in the post was planned demonstrations at Indian embassies and government offices.
"(Celebrity/Influential Person) @ Why are we not talking about this?," one suggested post template reads.
Another template suggested tagging U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the United Nations on the topic of stripping Indian farmers of their human rights.
"We stand in solidarity with the #FarmersProtest in India," she later shared.
After officials became aware of her push for farmer protests in India, the Indian government started an investigation into what Delhi Police called an attempt "to wage economic, social, cultural and regional war against India."
"A criminal case against the creators of the 'Toolkit document' has been registered; investigation has been taken up," police also said.