New Delhi: Delhi Police has named Punjabi actor and activist Deep Sidhu in an FIR lodged against the unprecedented violence during the tractor rally by farmers and storming of the Red Fort on Republic Day.
A handful of farmer leaders have also been named in the 25-plus cases filed by police since Tuesday evening, NDTV reported.
Earlier in a social media post, the actor confirmed his presence during the protest at the Red Fort and hoisting of a religious flag.
Sidhu sought to defend his action and said he and his supporters didn’t remove the national flag. According to him, he had put the ‘Nishan Sahib’ (a religious flag of Sikhs) as a symbolic protest at the Red Fort.
Meanwhile, a section of farm leaders have accused the actor of instigating the clashes. “Deep Sidhu was boycotted by Sanyukt Kisan Morcha months ago because of his separatist leanings. I condemn hoisting of any flag other than the Tricolur at the Red Fort,” said Swaraj India Chief Yogendra Yadav, who is one of the key leaders of the movement.
Notably, police are holding farmers responsible for violating the agreed rules of the tractor rally, which they say led to clashes in parts of the city. The farmers, however, claimed that there was a conspiracy to sabotage and malign their peaceful protest.
“Deep Sidhu is the government’s man. We need to understand this conspiracy,” a farmer leader said.
Also Read: Crack In Farmers’ Unity: 2 Unions Pull Out Of Agitation After Tractor Rally Violence
Also Read: Actor Deep Sidhu Accepts Hoisting ‘Nishan Sahib’ Flag At Red Fort