YouTube takes down Punjabi song allegedly instigating farmers after Centre's complaint

In a breaking development, YouTube on Friday imposed a ban on Punjabi song 'Datti to Bandook' which was allegedly instigating farmers to resort to violence. action was taken after a legal complaint was filed by Government of India. Punjabi song was uploaded in month of September and prose of song said, " gun has become more important at this time than sickle for farmers."

Uploaded by a Youtube channel called SMD Brors media, song had already crossed 3 lakh views in four months before being taken down by video streaming platform.

Although this song has been removed by YouTube post legal complaint, ar song 'Jitt ke Muda Gye' (sung by same singer) has been uploaded by same channel just two days back which has visuals of tractor marches, protests and also Nishan Sahib flag hoisted at Red Fort on January 26 - Republic Day when protestors resorted to violence and vandalism and attacked Delhi Police force.

More than 500 police personnel have been injured due to violence on January 26 after Tractor March led by protestors. protestors still continue to carry out protests against farm laws.

READ | SC-constituted Panel Holds Talks With 32 Farm Unions From 9 States Even As Stir Continues.

Greta Thunberg's 'toolkit' fiasco

Meanwhile, foreign personalities have entered row over farm laws with likes of Pop Singer Rihanna, Climate change activist Greta Thunberg, US Vice President Kamala Harris's niece Meena Harris, Porn star Mia Khalifa, singer Jay Sean and or global celebrities making ir remarks in support of farmers' protest.

However, in doing so, Greta Thunberg mistakingly shared a 'toolkit' which had organised plan of 'Twitter storm' on February 4 and 5, and n solidarity messs by February 5 and 6, besides Republic Day plot to carry out protests outside Indian embassies across world. Just an hours later, toolkit was deleted and an updated toolkit with certain omissions was posted by Greta Thunberg.

outdated 'toolkit' and current one both provide a list of “urgent actions” as well as “prior actions”. former has a timeline: A 'Twitter storm' on 4 and 5 February; solidarity photo or video mess by 5 and 6 February; contacting government representatives to ask m to take action; signing online petitions; and divesting from Adani, Ambani enterprises. 

list of "prior actions "includes a ‘Digital Strike’ with hashtag  ‘Ask India Why’ and asks readers to tag @PMOIndia, @nstomar (Minister of Agriculture & Farmer Welfare), heads of or nations, and international bodies like IMF, WTO, FAO, World Bank. However, in updated 'toolkit', all dates and instructions given for activities prior to January 26 are omitted. 

READ | Greta Thunberg Posts 'updated Toolkit' After Expose; Republic Day & Corporate Plot Missing

Indian Government retaliates

Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Wednesday came down heavily on statements by se foreign entities over India's farmer protests, asserting that such 'motivated campaigns will never succeed'. Jaishankar remarked that India today possessed self-confidence to hold on its own, averring that it would 'push back' against such attempts to target nation. He also shared hashtags put forward by Ministry of External Affairs to counter  propaganda. 

(MEA), prior to Jaishankar's response, issued a statement and said that before rushing to comment on such matters, it urges that facts are ascertained and proper understanding of issues at hand be undertaken. "Temptation of sensationalist social media hashtags and comments, especially when resorted to by celebrities and ors, is neir accurate r responsible," MEA statement said.

READ | As Police Prep For 'Chakka Jam', BKU Leader Tikait Assures Farmers Won't Enter Delhi

Several Indian celebrities and politicians spoke out against unwarranted statements made by foreign entities, urging nation to stay united amid attempts to divide.  ministry has used hashtags - #IndiaToger and #IndiaAgainstPropaganda.

Delhi Police on Thursday filed an unnamed FIR against creators of a "toolkit" which was shared by Greta Thunberg and ors on Twitter in connection with farmers' protest. Delhi Police stated that 'toolkit' aimed to w a "social, cultural and ecomic war against Government of India". 

  case against unnamed persons has been registered on charges of criminal conspiracy, sedition and various or sections of Indian Penal Code, Special CP (Crime) Praveer Ranjan said on Thursday. ANI citing Police sources said on Friday that Delhi Police is going to seek help of Google to identify location from where 'toolkit' shared by Greta Thunberg was made and uploaded on social media platform.