Latest news with #RakeshTikait
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Language-based disputes are unjustified: Tikait
Prayagraj: Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait, during his visit to Prayagraj, alleged that govt-backed elements are intentionally provoking disputes during the kanwar yatra to incite Hindu-Muslim tensions. He expressed concern over the deteriorating safety of Muslims. Tikait also criticized caste-based labels in hotels, advocating instead for clear signboards indicating vegetarian or non-vegetarian food. On the Mumbai language controversy, he said Mumbai welcomes people from across India, and language-based disputes are unjustified. Regarding Bihar elections , he claimed honest polls favor the opposition, but biased administration may tilt results. tnn
India Gazette
07-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Kanwar Yatra: Rakesh Tikait slams identity campaign, urges for peace and reasonable solutions
Muzaffarnagar (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 7 (ANI): The Kanwar Yatra is set to commence on July 10. Amid the preparations, controversy has erupted over an alleged 'identity campaign' being run by certain organisations along the yatra route, prompting national spokesperson of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), Rakesh Tikait, to issue a statement from his residence in Muzaffarnagar. The campaign, which reportedly involves identifying people and businesses based on religious identity, took a serious turn after an incident in Haridwar, where a Muslim family was allegedly attacked and their vehicle vandalised on the Kanwar route. Reacting to the rising communal tension, Tikait stated, 'Running an identity campaign is wrong. Instead of targeting people, we should adopt a clear and peaceful approach.' He suggested a practical solution to avoid confusion and conflict during the pilgrimage, veg hotels should use green boards, while non-veg eateries and hotels should use red. According to him, this colour-coded system is already in place in Maharashtra's Nagpur and helps prevent disputes. Tikait emphasised that the Kanwar Yatra is a sacred event and should remain peaceful. He recalled that Naresh Tikait, a senior BKU leader, had earlier appealed for the Yatra to be conducted with restraint, asking for limits on the height and sound of DJ processions, which have become a modern-day feature of the pilgrimage. However, Tikait noted that even such suggestions for peace are met with resistance. 'Today, anyone who speaks about peace is branded a traitor,' he said sarcastically, pointing to how Naresh Tikait's earlier remarks were misrepresented and led to uproar. He also brought up a tragic incident from last year when a soldier was beaten to death during a competitive 'Dak Kanwar' procession, highlighting the dangers of unchecked rivalry during the Yatra. Tikait warned against turning the pilgrimage into a platform for caste-based slogans and provocations. 'If DJ Kanwars don't shout casteist slogans, what's the fun? If DJ trucks don't get caught in overhead power lines, what's the fun?' he said mockingly. Addressing the controversy around nameplates, Tikait underlined that businesses along the Kanwar route should indicate their offerings -- veg or non-veg -- through colour-coded boards rather than be drawn into religious or caste-based identity politics. He called on the administration to take strict action against anyone taking the law into their own hands and urged communities to continue serving Kanwar pilgrims with unity and devotion, regardless of caste or religion. 'We have always been in service of the Kanwar pilgrims, organising large community meals and support. But sometimes, even those efforts face backlash,' he said. Rakesh Tikait's statement comes as a reminder of the importance of communal harmony and responsible conduct during one of India's largest religious pilgrimages. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Haryana: Will lock HAU gates if demands unmet by Jun 26, warn protesters
Students of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (CCSHAU) in Hisar, who have been demanding resignation of vice-chancellor (VC) Prof BR Kamboj in connection with June 10 lathicharge, on Tuesday said they would close all four gates of the varsity and suspend the work if their demands were not met by June 26. The protesting students had called a mahapanchayat which was attended by several social activists, farmer union leaders, political leaders and student union leaders from across the country. Addressing the students, farmer leader Rakesh Tikait said the people associated with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) have taken control over the educational institutes without any merit. (HT Photo) Farmer union leaders Rakesh Tikait, Yudhvir Singh and political leaders, including Rania MLA Arjun Chautala of the Indian National Lok Dal, his cousin Digvijay Singh Chautala, who heads the youth wing of the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), former finance minister and senior Congress leader Sampat Singh and Kaithal MLA Aditya Surjewala, were among those who attended the mahapanchayat and extended their support to the students. Vinod Kumar, a student leader, said, 'We have given an ultimatum to the government and sought acceptance of our eight demands by June 26. If they fail to do so, we, along with social activists, will close all four gates of the university on June 27 morning. We are demanding resignation of vice-chancellor BR Kamboj, action against those named in the FIR and their termination, revision of the stipend structure, rollback of seat reservations for Land Donation Villages (LDV), and medical compensation for injured students, taking back FIR registered against students along with other demands,' he said. Addressing the students, farmer leader Rakesh Tikait said the people associated with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) have taken control over the educational institutes without any merit. 'Earlier, this government used lathis on farmers. Now, they thrashed students. These students come from humble backgrounds from all castes, whose forefathers played a key role in India's independence. The students had changed regimes earlier too and this is a fight just to remove the vice-chancellor,' he added. INLD's Rania MLA Arjun Chautala said he raised the issue of 'autocratic' functioning of the vice-chancellor, who 'falsely claimed to receive the MS Swaminathan award' for his contribution in the farming sector. 'The VC is running his own government on the campus and he instructed the security guards to attack the students. He will have to go. Our party and student body are standing with the students. You have to stay firm on your demands. I will again raise this issue in the state assembly,' he added. Kaithal MLA Aditya Surjewala said the Congress would stand in solidarity with students from Chandigarh to Delhi. He said that the party would raise the issue in the state assembly and Parliament. JJP's youth body state president Digvijay Chautala condemned the attack on students and termed it a 'cowardly act' by the vice-chancellor. 'A person who gave orders to use baton on students has no right to run the office. His arrogance and oppressive action has crossed all limits and now he should pack his bag to vacate the campus,' he added. Former student leader and social activist Ramesh Punia alleged, 'The vice-chancellor is indulged in corrupt practices as he appointed his relatives and loyalists to key positions. Assistant professor Radhe Shyam, who was arrested for assaulting students, is a relative of another accused — chief security officer Sukhbir Singh — and he was appointed during Kamboj's tenure. Sukhbir was promoted as chief security officer by changing several rules while his wife Bas Kaur was appointed assistant professor and hostel warden. She is mounting pressure on girl students to stay away from protest.' He further alleged that VC's wife Santosh Kumari had claimed house rent allowance in violation of norms while serving as a government school principal, and later returned the same. 'The VC appointed his wife as director of the HAU's campus school without any advertisement,' he said, adding, 'Sukhbir Singh terminated the services of 52 security guards on VC's direction and appointed 40 security guards from their closed circle. The government should remove the VC and initiate a high level probe.' Repeated attempts to establish contact with VC Kamboj, chief security officer Sukhbir Singh and others went futile as they didn't respond to calls.
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Tikait warns govt against forcible land acquisition
Buxar: Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait, who arrived here on Saturday to attend Kisan Sabha held in support of the farmers affected by the thermal power plant located at Chausa in the district, warned the govt that any attempt to snatch the land of the farmers will not be tolerated. Addressing the gathering, Tikait alleged that there is a conspiracy to grab the land of farmers under the guise of various projects, adding a movement would be launched against forcible acquisition of land. He alleged the govt wants the people of Bihar to leave their land, become workers, so that they migrate to other states. He said that land acquisition should be done in a transparent manner and by giving proper compensation. A large number of farmer leaders and villagers attended the programme. The farmers raised slogans against the govt and vowed to intensify their struggle. RJD MP from Buxar, Sudhakar Singh, who also participated in the meeting, said the govt's land acquisition policy is completely against farmers.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Rakesh Tikait accuses govt of attempting to break SKM by fueling water dispute between Haryana and Punjab
Rakesh Tikait ROHTAK: Popular farmer leader and national spokesperson of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), Rakesh Tikait , on Tuesday accused the govt of deliberately trying to create discord between Haryana and Punjab by reigniting the inter-state water dispute. He claimed it is part of a larger conspiracy to weaken the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) — the unified platform of farmers' unions. During his visit to Samsapur village in Charkhi Dadri district today to pay tribute to Martyr Manoj Phogat, Tikait offered floral respects and expressed solidarity with the bereaved family. 'A martyr's family is the nation's family,' he said, urging the govt to extend wholehearted support and compensation to the soldier's family. Tikait expressed concern over escalating rhetoric from both Haryana and Punjab farmers regarding the water issue. He alleged that the issue, which is primarily political and legal in nature, is being intentionally stirred to provoke conflict between farmers of the two states. 'The goal is clear — to ensure that Haryana and Punjab do not remain united,' Tikait said. He stressed that farmers must remain restrained and avoid falling into the trap. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo 'This is a long-standing issue and needs to be addressed legally and politically, not emotionally. Farmers should focus on maintaining unity.' Highlighting internal efforts to destabilise farmer organisations, Tikait warned, 'The govt is continuously working to divide farmer unions. They are trying to break the backbone of SKM.' He reiterated that all farmer organisations are currently united, and if required, they will not hesitate to launch another major movement.
