A massive outrage took place after protesters swarmed the Red Fort on Republic Day 2021 and hoisted a religious flag during the farmers' tractor rally. Punjabi actor Deep Sidhu later on Tuesday, reportedly admitted that he was present during the incident. Speaking about the violent protest and hoisting of a religious flag from the rampart, he said, "We have only hoisted the Nishan Sahib flag on the Red Fort while exercising our democratic right to protest."
Who is Deep Sidhu?
Deep Sidhu is a Punjabi actor, filmmaker, and activist who was born in 1984 to a Punjabi family in Muktsar, Punjab. Sidhu came into the limelight after he won the Kingfisher Model Hunt and later took part in Grasim Mr. India and became Grasim Mr. Personality and Grasim Mr. Talented.
Because he could not connect with the world of modelling, he started practising as a lawyer with Sahara India Pariwar as a legal advisor. He was also the legal head of Balaji Telefilms for three and half years.
Sidhu in the 2019 general elections also entered politics and campaigned for Gurdaspur BJP MP Sunny Deol. His first film appearance was in 2015 with 'Ramta Jogi', however, he achieved fame through his 2018 release 'Jora Das Numbria'.
About the Farmers' Protest on Republic Day
On Tuesday, Sidhu reacted to instigating the farmers to march towards the Red Fort and said that the national flag was not removed. He said that he had put up the 'Nishan Sahib' as a symbolic protest at the Red Fort. The 'Nishan Sahib' flag, a symbol of the Sikh religion, is seen at all Gurdwara complexes.
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In a video posted on Facebook, Sidhu said, "To symbolically register our protest against the new farm legislation, we put up 'Nishan Sahib' and a farmer flag and also raised the slogan of Kisan Mazdoor Ekta."
Sidhu clarified that the 'Nishan Sahib' flag represents the country's "unity in diversity". Nishan Sahib is a triangular saffron flag with the emblem of 'Khanda', a two-edged sword, Chakra, a disc, and two Kirpans that cross each other at the handles.
