Whatever happened in Delhi on the occasion of Republic Day on 26 January, the whole country saw. He saw crowds breaking barricades from tractor, open swords in the hands of Nihangas and also saw protesters hoisting the flag at Delhi’s Red Fort. This was the flag of Sikhism, which is called Nishan Sahib. Different claims are being made about forcibly hoisting the flag at the Red Fort. On one hand, actor and activist Deep Sidhu is claiming this. At the same time, a video is going viral on social media. In it, it is being claimed that the person who climbed the Red Fort and hoisted the mark Sahib, his name is Jugraj Singh.
According to the news of the Times of India, in the video, a young man can be heard saying that Jugraj Singh, resident of Van Tara Singh village, has hoisted the Khalsa flag. Van Tara Singh is a village in Tarn Taran district of Punjab. He also claims to be a close relative of the youth Jugraj.
According to Aaj Tak’s Manjit Sehgal, in another video, Jugraj Singh is seen saying-
“I had been praying since morning that I should hoist the flag at the Red Fort, and my prayers were heard. I was not afraid of bullets.”
A video of the family is also viral on social media, in which Jugraj Singh’s father and grandfather are expressing happiness. He says that his son has shown bravery. He is very happy with this. In the video, besides Jugraj’s father Baldev Singh, Dada Mahal Singh, his grandmother and mother are also seen. In this video of 2 minutes 21 seconds, Jugraj’s grandfather is seen praising him. They can be heard saying clearly, “It is a matter of pride for the Sikh Panth that earlier the Khalsa victory flag was hoisted at the Red Fort, and now in 2021, the Khalsa victory flag was re-erected at the Red Fort.”
According to Times Now, when questions related to Jugraj Singh’s grandfather’s connection with Khalistan and money were given, he said that no such question arises. He told that Jugraj works as a farmer and previously used to work in a company. Regarding joining the peasant movement, he told that Jugraj had gone a day or two ago.
Police is currently investigating this matter. A senior police officer of Tarn Taran says that the police is currently looking at what rules the young man has broken and under which section of the law he should be acted upon.
Significantly, on January 26, after long talks for the farmers’ tractor rally, the police gave permission. But at some places, the farmers entered Delhi before the scheduled time. The route was decided, a group of protesters moved away from it and started towards the Red Fort. The police tried to stop, resorted to sticks and teargas, but failed. During this time a protesting farmer died due to overturning of the tractor on ITO. The video clearly showed that the tractor overturned in an attempt to break the barricades. Some protesters had earlier claimed that the young man had died from police firing, but CCTV footage showed how the tractor overturned.
At present, the police is busy identifying the perpetrators. Efforts are being made to identify the miscreants through CCTV and video. About 22 FIRs have been registered in Delhi for violence, sabotage, attack on policemen etc. Police say that action will be taken against those who spoil the situation.
