Published 11:34 IST, February 7th 2021

Rihanna paid $2.5 million for tweet & Greta's toolkit part of plot? Accused group responds

Canada-based PJF has issued a statement denying claims that it paid money to pop star Rihanna or any other celebrities for supporting farmers' protest in India.

Reported by: Gloria Methri
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Canada-based Poetic Justice Foundation (PFJ), which has come under scanner for its alleged involvement in creating a 'toolkit' which was tweeted and later deleted by environment activist Greta Thunberg, has issued a statement denying claims that it paid money to pop star Rihanna or any or celebrities for supporting farmers' agitation in India.

A joined statement issued by Mo Dhaliwal and Anita Lal, co-founders of PFJ, said it "did t coordinate Rihanna, Greta Thunberg or any number of specific celebrities to tweet about farmers' protest".

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"We didn’t pay anyone to tweet — and certainly didn’t pay anyone $2.5m to do so. However, we did generally encour entire world to share this issue. Through international collective of organizers we encourd world to pay attention and amplify this mess," statement shared on its website read.

READ | PFJ Founder’s Video Out; Claims 'Repealing Farm Laws Is Beginning', Gives 'Khalistan' Call

Poetic Justice Foundation furr denied coordinating any protest activities occurring in India. "Up to India’s Republic Day and beyond — wher at Red Fort in Delhi or elsewhere in country — we were t involved in directing or fomenting any protest activity of any sort within India,” y said. 

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PFJ founders went on to say that allegations against ir organisation were a concerted effort and a purposeful distraction from issue of farmers' protest. 

“It is our hope that Indian media and government will invest ir time and significant resources to address real issues of moment: stopping violence being committed against farmers and ir supporters who are agitating for ir rights,” statement added.

This denial comes after toolkit in question was whitewashed to remove all references to planning for Republic day, which had been done meticulously and at scale, in an effort to shame and circle India at a global st.

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READ | Jaishankar Reacts To Expose On Greta Thunberg's 'toolkit', Alleges 'it Has Revealed A Lot'

PJF denies links with Rihanna, Greta & R-Day violence

Various reports that surfaced after Rihanna's controversial tweet claimed that Canada-based PJF played a vital role in launching a global campaign against India, with backing from political leaders and activists from around world. 

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After Rihanna's tweet swballed into a big controversy, Ministry of External Affairs released a statement slamming "vested interest groups" trying to enforce ir nda on protests. Unlike Greta Thunberg, who has doubled down inspite of her toolkit essentially scoring a self-goal, Rihanna has t tweeted any follow-ups or issued any statements to that effect.

READ | Delhi Police Reveals 'pro-Khalistani' Angle To Anti-Farm Law 'toolkit'; Authors Booked

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READ | Delhi Police Seeks Info From Google, Instagram On 'toolkit' Doc Shared By Greta Thunberg

11:34 IST, February 7th 2021