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Accused in R-Day violence, Punjabi actor Deep Sidhu killed in road mishap

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 Punjabi actor-turned-activist Deep Sidhu, who had been named in connection with the violence at Red Fort in Delhi on Republic Day last year, died in a road accident near Delhi on Tuesday.

The 38-year-old actor was active in the farmers’ protest against the three now repealed Central farm laws.

The accident took place on the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway that bypasses the national capital. Sidhu was going from Delhi to Bathinda in Punjab when the car in which he was travelling rammed into a trailer truck at 9.30 p.m., the police said. His woman co-driver escaped in the accident.

Sidhu was declared brought dead at the Kharkhoda hospital in Haryana’s Sonipat district.

On January 26 last year, Sidhu was seen amid the crowd that reached the iconic Red Fort by violating the planned route of the proposed farmers’ tractor march, and was accused of provoking the protesters to instal a Nishan Sahib, a symbol of Sikh religion, on its ramparts.

Belonging to Muktsar’s Udekaran village in Punjab, Sidhu’s family had left the village in the 80s. His father was an advocate who practised at Gidderbaha.

In a Facebook live from the Red Fort, Sidhu, who was once known for his proximity to actor and BJP MP Sunny Deol, was heard saying after he was accused in the violence: “We have only hoisted the Nishan Sahib flag on the Red Fort while exercising our democratic right to protest.”

He had also said that the national flag was not removed from the flagpole at the Red Fort and that nobody raised a question over the country’s unity and integrity.

In another video, Sidhu could be seen fleeing from the Red Fort on a bike.

Sidhu, along with gangster-turned-social activist Lakha Sidhana, were named as the main accused in the January 26 violence in Delhi.

Sidhana is a gangster-turned-politician who was acquitted in several cases before he contested the 2012 Assembly polls as a candidate of the People’s Party of Punjab, once led by Manpreet Singh Badal, who is currently the Finance Minister in the Congress government in Punjab.

Farmer leaders had, in fact, distanced themselves from both Sidhu and Sidhana and blamed them for inciting violence.

However, Sidhu, blaming the farmer union leaders of taking decisions without consulting the people and defending himself, said in one of his videos: “I am seeing that false propaganda and hatred is being spread against me.

“Thousands of people had reached there (the Red Fort), but no farmer leader was present there. Nobody indulged in violence or damaged any public property. They put up the Nishan Sahib and a farmer flag at the flagpole to register their protest,” he had said.

“Many people were carrying Nishan Sahib flags, farmer flags and the tricolour. If you say by doing so I have turned traitor, then those who were present there were traitors too,” Sidhu had said.

On the farmer union leaders calling him an RSS man, Sidhu had said that only a truthful person would be able to hoist a flag at the Red Fort.

“You’re calling me an RSS man, a BJP man. Will an RSS man put the flag atop Red Fort? Think about it. Will a Congressman be able to do so? No. Only a pure and truthful person will do so. By calling one person a traitor, you are referring to the whole crowd,” he had said.

Born in 1984 in Punjab’s Muktsar district, Sidhu, who was associated with the agitation against the three contentious farm laws, studied law.

His first Punjabi movie, ‘Ramta Jogi’, was released in 2015. His second movie, ‘Jora Das Numbria’, which released in 2018, was hit.

Bollywood

Shah Rukh Khan lauds Captain Smit Machchhar’s heroic act: You stood strong when it mattered the most

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Mumbai, Oct 3: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan lauded Captain Smit Machchhar for his courage and presence of mind that ended up saving many lives during the horrific mid-air incident aboard a Flydubai flight.

Wishing the Captain a speedy recovery, SRK shared that the entire country was extremely proud of him as he managed to show courage during extreme circumstances.

Taking to his X (Formerly known as Twitter) timeline, Salman wrote, “Captain Smit Machchhar, you stood strong when it mattered the most!! It’s not easy to stare adversity in the face and put one’s safety on the line… but you did just that to protect those onboard and showed us what being a Captain entails. A true display of courage and duty. Wishing you a speedy recovery, the country is proud of you…(sic).”

Prior to this, Salman Khan also applauded Captain Smit Machchhar, saying that it would be a pleasure to fly with him.

Salman’s Tweet read, “Kamaal kar diya pilot ji, hum sab aap ko salute karte hain will be a pleasure to fly with u.. Well done bro.. Capt #SmitMachchhar.”

For the unversed, Captain Machchhar was seriously injured on Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was headed from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 people on board, after his co-pilot allegedly attacked him inside the cockpit.

Despite being seriously injured, he managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to intervene. The aircraft was eventually diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.

Many prominent names from the world of entertainment used social media to pay tribute to Captain Machchhar.

Actor Anil Kapoor revealed that he shares a personal connection to the pilot through his business manager Jalal. He shared that Jalal had known Captain Machchhar ever since his days in flying school and had always considered him as someone he would want by his side in a difficult situation.

His post read, “What Smit did in that moment was nothing short of extraordinary. It takes immense courage to stay strong and put others first.”

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Salman Khan ‘salutes’ Captain Smit Machchhar for heroic act, says ‘Kamaal kar diya pilot ji, will be a pleasure to fly with you’

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Mumbai, Oct 3: Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has lauded Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his courage and presence of mind during the terrifying mid-air incident aboard a Flydubai flight.

He said it would be a pleasure to fly with him as he took to his X (formerly Twitter account) , Salman wrote, “Kamaal kar diya pilot ji, hum sab aap ko salute karte hain will be a pleasure to fly with u.. Well done bro.. Capt #SmitMachchhar.”

Salman’s opening phrase, “Kamaal kar diya pilot ji”, also has the familiar playful tonality associated with his iconic Dabangg dialogue “Kamaal karte ho, Pandey ji”, making the tribute sound the quintessential like a Salman-style salute.

The actor’s message comes after a dramatic incident involving Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 people on board. Captain Machchhar was seriously injured after his co-pilot allegedly attacked him inside the cockpit.

Despite deep his injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to intervene. The aircraft was subsequently diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.

The brave act has been lauded by millions with a lot of Bollywood stars lauding the captain.

Actor Anil Kapoor also shared a heartfelt tribute to Captain Machchhar, revealing a personal connection to the pilot through his business manager Jalal.

Anil Kapoor recalled that Jalal had known Smit since flying school and had always considered him someone he would want by his side in a difficult situation.

In his post, Kapoor wrote in part, “What Smit did in that moment was nothing short of extraordinary. It takes immense courage to stay strong and put others first…” He went on to express his respect for the captain and wished him a speedy recovery.

Many Bollywood celebrities have also taken to social media to salute Machchhar’s courage.

Vicky Kaushal shared a picture of the pilot in the cockpit and wrote, “Braveheart! Capt Smit Machchhar.”

Sunny Deol praised Machchhar’s “extraordinary courage and presence of mind”, saying he had helped avert a disaster and save lives, while wishing him a speedy recovery.

Tamannaah Bhatia highlighted the extraordinary responsibility Machchhar carried during the crisis.

R. Madhavan also joined the tributes, praying for the speedy recovery of what he described as a true hero.

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BB 20: Rhiti Tiwari pens sweet note for Qazi post elimination, says ‘I’ve got your back’

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Mumbai, Oct 3: After mid-week elimination from Bigg Boss 20, Rhiti Tiwari penned a heartfelt note for fellow contestant Qazi Touqeer.

Signalling a warmer equation between the two after their much-talked-about feud inside the house, Rhiti took to her social media account and shared a series of pictures from her final days inside the Bigg Boss 20 house, including a picture of herself hugging Qazi.

Along with the pictures, she wrote, “I’ve got your back. And when I am back, I’ll have it again.” She also tagged Qazi and added hashtags including #RhitiTiwari, #RhitiInBB20, #BB20, #BiggBoss20 and #QaziTouqeer.

Qazi’s team responded to Rhiti’s post with a message of support, writing, “Sending you lots of love and Respect , Everyone is so proud of you. Wishing you endless success and happiness—keep rising and shining! All the very best! -Team Qazi”

The post comes after Rhiti and Qazi’s equation went through a turbulent phase on the reality show.

During a diss battle task, their argument escalated, with Rhiti using abusive language against Qazi and Uditi Singh.

The matter was addressed by host Salman Khan during Weekend Ka Vaar. Salman reprimanded Rhiti over her language and aggressive behaviour, questioning her remarks towards Qazi and telling her that she had crossed the line of disrespect.

Following Salman’s schooling, Rhiti apologised to Qazi and Uditi and was seen making efforts to mend her equations with the housemates.

Her journey came to an abrupt end when she was eliminated mid-week after Mahhi Vij, Uditi Singh and Yung DSA chose her during a captaincy-related task that resulted in her losing her final lifeline.

For the uninitiated, Rhiti Tiwari is the daughter of Bhojpuri superstar and politician Manoj Tiwari.

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