January 29, 2021
Fluttering in the chilly Delhi winter breeze, a triangular flag was hoisted on Jan. 26 on the ramparts of the Red Fort, a Mughal-era monument.
The Nishan Sahib, a saffron-coloured flag with a two-edged dagger as its central motif, is a religious flag that belongs to the Sikh community. It can be commonly found at all gurdwaras and Sikh events. But single act by farmer-led protesters has multiple political connotations packed into it. First, the Red Fort is the site of the national address the Indian prime minister delivers every Independence Day. The Indian flag is also ceremoniously unfurled. Second, a religious flag was hoisted below, but close to the Indian flag. And third, it happened on a day that India celebrates its constitution.