The ceaseless overflow of #boycott trends on Twitter has become a continuous source of entertainment for many of us since the beginning of 2020. It is delighting to chill behind our screens and read tweets of angry Twitterati taking offence at the mildest of issues.
In such a scenario, when from a safe corner of the internet emerge heroes with the wittiest sense of humour, the satirical potential of social media awakens for the amusement of everyday social media consumers.
In September, the parliament enacted three farm bills which permitted agricultural businesses to exchange farm goods without any legal restraints.
It has also allowed private traders to buy and store large amounts of agricultural produce for sale in the future, considerably reaffirming the power hierarchy between capitalists and honest farmers.
What is ‘Chalo Delhi’ and #IAmWithFarmers?
Earlier this morning, hundreds of farmers with food and other supplies marched to Delhi to protest against the farm bills. The police barricaded Delhi and deployed tear gas to keep the farmers away from the city.
However, after negotiations, the farmers have been allowed inside the city to continue with peaceful protests.
The CM of Punjab, Amarinder Singh, has encouraged the government to talk with the Kisan Union and come to a consensus with their demands.
Twitter immediately garnered and showed their support for the farmers with #IAmWithFarmers trend. The farmers have also clarified that their protests will remain peaceful as long as their demands are addressed.
Congress leaders Shri @rssurjewala & Shri @Pawankhera interacting with farmers in Panipat, marching towards Delhi.
I am with farmers!#IamWithFarmers pic.twitter.com/ICzH0Iowwk
— Gaurav Pandhi (@GauravPandhi) November 27, 2020
Had there been truly an iota of benefit for farmers in farm bills, @BJP4India Govt would have tried to engage with #farmers!
This high handedness&quelling of peaceful march proves that only concern this govt has is for capitalist pals!#IamWithFarmerspic.twitter.com/UY6mQS56Y9— Asha Kumari (@AshaKumariINC) November 27, 2020
Also Read: If Income Based Reservation Is Supposedly Needed, Shouldn’t The Farmers Get It First?
Much of the support was not devoid of direct and humorous criticism of the Prime Minister’s actions.
Breaking News:
Finally PM Modi met farmers and discussed about Farm Bills.#दिल्ली_चलो#IamWithFarmers pic.twitter.com/7OQUtLDIQm
— Md Asif Khan (@imMAK02) November 27, 2020
This brings us to the other side of Twitter, which is trending #BoycottFood.
What is #BoycottFood?
The hashtag started when an account by the name @RoflGandhi_ tweeted this in the morning.
The farmers are protesting against our beloved supreme leader, we will never tolerate his disrespect. We will #BoycottFood till the farmers wouldn't go back to their homes. Team Baan please avoid lunch 🏹 pic.twitter.com/tBXNhxj7dg
— Rofl Gandhi 2.0 🏹 (@RoflGandhi_) November 27, 2020
The account was clearly mocking people who support the government and its policies blindly and do not consider the angst of minorities. The sheer ironical undertone of the hashtag represents how netizens can become agitated by trivial matters and switch to cancel culture as a means to block dissent.
Twitterati, including celebrities and politicians, joined the humour. The comedic support for farmers began in anticipation of all those (“Bhakts,” of course) who would oppose the protest.
Chalo now let’s not waste time and quickly #BoycottFood come on twitter you can do it 💪🏼 https://t.co/vXaVsTjdMq
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) November 27, 2020
Normal day par toh ye lunch time hota tha 😭😭😭 #boycottfood
— Rofl Gandhi 2.0 🏹 (@RoflGandhi_) November 27, 2020
Indian's On Their Way To Boycott Anything Which Hurts Their Sentiments#BoycottFood pic.twitter.com/0MeY0Lx7A8
— Ankit Bhatt (@AreyAnkit) November 27, 2020
https://twitter.com/olasarkar/status/1332257295313453057
https://twitter.com/riyasharma_4/status/1332202299121233921
If you don't like farmers, don't eat food – SC.#boycottfood
— Narundar (@NarundarM) November 27, 2020
*Me and my bois after seeing so many boycotts everyday and now it comes to food😏 : pic.twitter.com/7C2kHTETbd
— Himanshu Seth (@tereMaalKaYaar) November 27, 2020
These anti-national farmers should meditate more instead of protesting all the time #BoycottFood pic.twitter.com/nqPz7wPtmy
— Dr. LeLe 🏹🚜 (@Desi_Democracy) November 27, 2020
Some have clearly mistaken the satirical usage of the trend. However, these could also be the people who have secretly taken offence against the hashtag movement.
https://twitter.com/Nishant773/status/1332266687471652869
Wake up
Eat
Boycott something
SleepRepeat 🔃
Today #boycottfood
Tomorrow boycott humans is loading 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/B0obNveatU— D R E A M R (@dreamer_in_dark) November 27, 2020
The trend is a motivated effort at satirising online trolls by beating them at their own game.
However, jokes apart, amidst a pandemic, India is witnessing an institutional collapse considering how it has failed the people who comprise the backbone of not just our industry, but also our basic necessity – food.
Our Jawans are fighting at the border but you still want food? #boycottfood
By the way they are fighting at Delhi – Haryana border, with our farmers.
— Rofl Gandhi 2.0 🏹 (@RoflGandhi_) November 27, 2020
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: The Quint, Hindustan Times, Twitter
Find the blogger: @aiswaryanil
This post is tagged under: trolls, bhakts, bhakts in india, bharatiya janata party, modi government, godi government, media, right wing politics, indian farmers, farmers at loss, farmer bills, cancel culture, narendra modi, amit shah, indian economy, indian agricultural sector, what is #boycottfood, twitter, twitterati, satire, congress, aam aadmi party, delhi police, police burtality, farmers from punjab, indian farmers, punjab government, funny memes, funny tweets, funny tweets about cancel culture, funny tweets about bjp, funny bhakts, blind people, dissent, protests, peaceful protests, intolerance in india, what were the farmer bills, capitalism, amrinder singh, rahul gandhi, kangana ranaut, staple food, farming, irrigation, water scarcity, rise in food prices, provisions, godi media, irony
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