Deep Sidhu at Red Fort, Delhi with other rioters | Feature image credits: IANS
Actor-turned-activist Deep Sidhu was named as an accused in connection with the incident involving the Indian national flag at the Red Fort on January 26, Republic Day. The Delhi Police has named him in an FIR lodged in connection with the incident.
In a video uploaded on Facebook, he has said that he needs some time to bring out the truth and then he will join the investigation.
The 36-year-old Punjabi actor-activist, who is currently missing, is in the eye of a storm for being among the rioters who hoisted Sikh and Khalistani flags atop the Red Fort on Republic Day after removing the Indian tricolour.
“Arrest warrant has been issued against me and also a look out notice has been issued against me. First I want to give this message that I will join the investigation,” Sidhu said in a video uploaded on Facebook. “Because whatever has been spread, it is false information and it is misleading the public at large. Therefore, I need a couple of days to bring out the truth and then I will join the investigation,” he added.
“I am requesting the investigation agencies…I have not done anything wrong then why should I run away and why should I be scared. I am not scared. I have done nothing wrong and that will come out,” he said.
He told the investigation agencies and the police department via the Facebook video that he will come to them in two days.
“The kind of rumours being spread is not based on facts. I need two days to bring out the truth based on the facts and I will collect all the evidence and proof,” he stated.
Known for his proximity with actor and BJP MP Sunny Deol in the past, Sidhu has been closely associated with the agitations against the Centre’s farm laws. Earlier, the Congress had even put up a video on their YouTube channel supporting Sidhu, which has now been deleted. Congress MP from Ludhiana, Ravneet Singh Bittu, has also asked for sedition charges to be brought against Sidhu and two others.
So why did @INCIndia delete a video supporting Deep Siddhu from its YouTube channel? pic.twitter.com/k7fzVJ7an2
— Shefali Vaidya. (@ShefVaidya) January 27, 2021
It is not only the Congress who are distancing themselves from Sidhu. Farmer union leaders are accusing him of trying to defame their agitation and have termed Sidhu a “traitor”. Sidhu on Thursday lashed out at farmer leaders for allegedly spreading false propaganda and hatred against him.
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