Man responsible for putting farmers' issue in limelight- Rakesh Tikait

Rakesh Tikait donned many hats including that of a police officer and a politician before becoming a farm leader. And now, he has emerged as the hero of the farmers' agitation.

New Delhi: Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) spokesperson Rakesh Tikait shot to limelight after he gave an emotional speech at the Ghazipur border and boosted the morale of the farmers protesting against the three Central farm laws over the past two months. After Tikait's speech went viral, local farmers, especially from Western Uttar Pradesh, took it as a challenge and vowed that his tears will not go in vain.

Rakesh Tikait's elder and estranged brother Naresh Tikait stated that the protest at the Ghazipur site would end as they are facing pressure from the administration to vacate the space. Even Naresh Tikait said, "my brother's tears will not go in vain."

The man, who has vowed not to give up the protest site till the Central govt repeals the three laws, cause struck a nerve not just with the protesters but also among netizens throughout the country.

Who is Rakesh Tikait?

Born on June 4, 1969, in Muzaffarnagar's Sisauli, BKU leader Rakesh Tikait have been jailed 44 times. Tikait has completed his graduation from Meerut University and also studied law.

He was also sent to jail for 39 days in Madhya Pradesh while protesting against land accusation law.

Not only this, but Tikait was also sent to jail in Delhi when the leader was demanding the increase in the support price of Sugarcane from the Central government and even burnt sugarcanes outside Parliament.

Tikait's father Mahendra Singh Tikait was an influential figure of Muzaffarnagar, who had founded the UP branch of Bhartiya Kisan Union along with Chaudhari Charan Singh who later became the Prime Minister of India.

Rakesh Tikait also unsuccessfully contested a General election in 2014 from Amroha parliamentary constituency with the RLD ticket. He also contested the 2007 UP Assembly elections from the Khatauli seat with the help of Congress.

Rakesh Tikait also served as constable in Delhi Police in 1992. He left the force when he and his family were pressurised to end the protests.

It was after his father's death that Rakesh Tikait became the leader of BKU.