New Delhi: Amid the raging controversy over international celebrities voicing support for the farmers’ protests in India, social media is again abuzz about an advertisement that was reportedly aired at Super Bowl 2021, the American National Football League.
Notably, the Super Bowl is one of the most-watched sporting events in the US and a commercial aired during the event can cost between $5 to 6 million (between Rs 36 crore and Rs 44 crore).
On Monday morning, many verified Twitter handles tweeted that the ad on farmers’ protest was indeed aired at the Super Bowl on Sunday evening.
“Watch message of support for farmers during this Super Bowl. We are hearing this Super Bowl Ad will air on Channel 47 KSEE 24, in Fresno County, California, 3-3:30pm,” tweeted a handle going by the name United Sikhs.
BREAKING: Watch message of support for farmers during this Super Bowl. We are hearing this Super Bowl Ad will air on Channel 47 KSEE 24, in Fresno County, California, 3-3:30pm.
#farmersprotest #SuperBowlFarmersProtestAD
Donate to #supportfarmers: https://t.co/QCWMqQfJr3 pic.twitter.com/LKNhtkq1qY
— UNITED SIKHS (@unitedsikhs) February 7, 2021
The 30-second advertisement began with a quote from Martin Luther King Jr and termed the ongoing farmers’ protest as the “largest protest in history”.
But, contrary to the messaging by pro-farmers’ protest individuals, groups and organisations, the advertisement was aired only in parts of California, as per a report in India Today.
Sources said it was not a part of the actual Super Bowl event. It was funded by Valley Sikh Community as a pre-Super Bowl Ad raising awareness about India’s farmers’ protest in local channels.
Even though it wasn’t aired at the Super Bowl event, singer Jazzy B put out a video claiming that it was.
“World is watching! Farmers add played at #SuperBowl #FarmerProtest #NoFarmersNoFood,” tweeted Jazzy B.
World is watching! Farmers add played at #SuperBowl #FarmerProtest #NoFarmersNoFood pic.twitter.com/583H2l3hax
— Jazzy B (@jazzyb) February 7, 2021
Another verified tweet by a pro-farmers’ protest activist Simran Jeet Singh said, “Here’s the Super Bowl ad featuring the Farmers Protest. If you haven’t heard about it yet, now is the time to learn. It’s an issue of injustice that affects all of us,” she posted.
While some reports suggest it aired in some other parts of the US as well, there are no confirmations to the claims yet. As many as 100 million people tune into CBS to watch the Super Bowl event on TV.
However, in a video message which was aired four days ago, Mayor Jerry Dyer of Fresno city, California, joined celebrities, activists, and politicians in standing in solidarity with the Indian farmers.
“I’m going to continue to fight for what is right because this is unfair, it’s oppressive and we are going to fight for the people in our community as well as those people in India,” said Dyer.
Also Read: Farmers Protest: Govt Tells Twitter To Block Over 1000 Pak, Khalistani Handles
