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Activist Disha Ravi's Arrest Over 'Greta Thunberg Toolkit' for Farmers' Protests Blows up Twitter

© AP Photo / Rafiq MaqboolMembers of various political parties shout slogans during a protest against new farm laws in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021. Tens of thousands of protesting Indian farmers blocked highways across the country for three hours Saturday to press their demands for the repeal of new agricultural laws.
Members of various political parties shout slogans during a protest against new farm laws in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021. Tens of thousands of protesting Indian farmers blocked highways across the country for three hours Saturday to press their demands for the repeal of new agricultural laws.  - Sputnik International, 1920, 15.02.2021
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Disha Ravi was arrested on Sunday by Delhi Police in connection with a tweet by Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, who shared a "toolkit" designed to aide the ongoing farmers' protests in India.

The arrest of young climate activist Disha Ravi in the Indian city of Bengaluru has sent Twitter into a frenzy, with more than a million people tweeting the hashtag #IndiaBeingSilenced.

Users are demanding her release as India's farmers' protests on the outskirts of Delhi continue to attract international attention. 

#IndiaBeingSilenced is getting an huge response on social media. 

Ravi's arrest came days after Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg offered her support to the farmers by sharing a protest "toolkit," much to the ire of Delhi Police who have registered a case against Thunberg for “criminal conspiracy."

The authorities claim Ravi is also responsible for preparing and sharing the toolkit on social media.

“She was one of the editors of the toolkit Google Doc and a key conspirator in the document's formulation and dissemination,” Delhi Police said in a statement.

Ravi is a founding member of the Indian branch of Fridays For Future, a climate campaign first launched by Thunberg. 

The Indian activist's arrest has sparked a strong reaction from fellow activists and netizens alike.

Students held a peaceful protest in Bengaluru city in India’s Karnataka state and presented saplings to the police while urging Ravi’s release. 

India's Coalition for Environmental Justice has described Ravi's arrest as an "extra-judicial abduction."

"From the controversial Draft Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, 2020, and in advancing laws that has drawn farmers' across India to protest, the wider public is becoming increasingly aware of the government's tendency to put corporate interests over the well-being and future of the nation," the statement said.

It's been signed by personalities like former Indian diplomat Arundhati Ghosh.

The arrest has also triggered international condemnation of the Delhi Police.

Meena Harris, the niece of US Vice-President Kamala Harris, has also tweeted in support of Ravi, so too UK Member of Parliament for Leicester East Claudia Webbe.

Farmers from across India have been protesting since late November on Delhi's borders demanding that a trio of recently introduced agricultural laws be repealed. 

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