Farmers' stir: MVA govt orders probe into celebrities' tweets; BJP hits out

MVA should feel ashamed while using the word ‘probe’ for Bharat Ratnas, said Leader of the Opposition and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis

In what is snowballing into a major political issue, the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra has ordered a probe to examine whether the tweets by celebrities vis-à-vis the farmers' protest were posted under pressure.

State Home Minister Anil Deshmukh ordered a probe after state Congress General Secretary Sachin Sawant made a request over a Zoom conference. Deshmukh, who had recently tested Covid-19 positive, is currently under home quarantine in Nagpur.

Among those who had tweeted last week include melody queen Lata Mangeshkar and 'Master Blaster' Sachin Tendulkar, both recipients of the coveted Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour.

After the development, the BJP has lashed out at the Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government.

Leader of the Opposition Devendra Fadnavis has come down heavily on the government.

"Disgusting & highly deplorable. Where is your Marathi Pride now? Where is your Maharashtra Dharma? We will never find such ‘ratnas’ (gems) in entire Nation who order probe against Bharat Ratnas who always stand strong in one voice for our Nation," Fadnavis said.

Hitting out at Fadnavis, Sawant tweeted, "Bjp is trying to deliberately twist the issue. We have demanded probe of BJP not celebrities. Why bjp is keeping mum on why tweets of Akshay Kumar and Saina Nehwal are matching with each other? Why Suniel Shetty tags his tweet to a BJP office bearer? Why bjp is scared of probe? (sic)"

"Bjp is capable of pressuring celebrities. Hence this possibility must be ruled out. It is the duty of MVA govt to provide atmosphere where every individual can exercise their right of freedom of speech without any pressure. Even if pressure is from Modi govt. (sic)," Sawant said in another tweet.

Several Bollywood celebrities and sportspersons had also sent out tweets in support of the Centre.