An Evening in Honour of the Farmer Messiah": All India Jat Mahasabha Holds Tribute and Seminar on Chaudhary Mahendra Singh Tikait’s 15th Death Anniversary

Hoshiarpur / Daljeet Ajnoha/May 17

On the eve of the 15th death anniversary of farmers’ leader Chaudhary Mahendra Singh Tikait, the All India Jat Mahasabha organized a tribute meeting and seminar titled "An Evening in Honour of the Farmer Messiah" at the Constitution Club of India in New Delhi. Prominent political, social and farmer leaders from across the country attended the event to pay respectful tribute to Tikait’s struggles, his historic contributions to farmer movements and his personality. The event was chaired by Jaspal Singh Sidhu, with Mohit Tomar serving as master of ceremonies.

Among those who participated were Jammu & Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surender Choudhary, Rohtak MP Deepender Singh Hooda, Buxar MP Sudhakar Singh, Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, Muzaffarnagar MP Harendra Malik, Samajwadi Party spokesperson Manoj Singh Kaka, Raj Kumar Bhati, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) national spokesperson Chaudhary Rakesh Tikait, BKU and All India Jat Mahasabha national general secretary Chaudhary Yudvir Singh, All India Jat Mahasabha national senior vice-president and Punjab president Harpal Singh Harpura, All India Jat Mahasabha national secretary Chaudhary Dharmveer Singh Jadon, and MP Sudhakar Singh (Bihar), among other dignitaries. The chief guest, Jammu & Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surender Choudhary, was specially honored with a gada (mace).

Chaudhary Rakesh Tikait, national spokesperson of the Bharatiya Kisan Union, said, "Mahendra Singh Tikait taught farmers to live with their heads held high. His life was not driven by office, power or personal ambition, but was devoted to the dignity and rights of farmers." He highlighted the ongoing issues faced by farmers — fair crop prices, rising input costs, electricity, water and land acquisition — and said unity is the key to overcoming these challenges.

Rakesh Tikait recalled that Chaudhary Tikait always said farmers are not weak; they only need to recognize their strength. He remembered how Tikait sat among thousands of farmers to hear their problems and led protests in a peaceful yet firm manner. Rakesh urged the younger generation to understand Tikait’s struggles and ideals, and added that holding such programs at the Constitution Club helps inform Delhi residents and others about farmers’ issues. He congratulated all participants for the successful program.

Chaudhary Yudvir Singh, national general secretary of BKU and All India Jat Mahasabha, shared inspiring anecdotes about Tikait. He recalled that during the Bharatpur movement, the Maharaja invited Tikait for a meal, but Tikait refused to eat alone because thousands of farmers were with him. He told the Maharaja that if arrangements could not be made for all farmers, he should at least send a sack of chickpeas, and the farmers would manage on that. Yudvir Singh said this illustrated Tikait’s simplicity, sense of equality and dedication to farmers’ welfare.

Harpal Singh Harpura, national senior vice-president of the All India Jat Mahasabha and its Punjab president, said Tikait united millions of farmers in Delhi and made history. He recalled that then-Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had even offered him a Rajya Sabha seat, which Tikait declined, saying serving farmers was greater than holding any office.

Speakers said Chaudhary Mahendra Singh Tikait was not merely an individual but a symbol of struggle, self-respect and the strongest voice for farmers’ rights. They praised his ability to rise above caste, religion and regionalism to unite farmers and fight for their rights throughout his life. Speakers noted that Tikait’s spirit and approach continue to be visible in farmers fighting for their rights today. Emphasizing unity in the farming community, they described Tikait as the powerful voice of farmers.

Local youth leader Parvinder Avana said farmers and youth together are the real strength of the nation and stressed the need to strengthen social harmony and brotherhood. He added that unity between Jat and Gurjar communities will give new direction to future social and farmers’ movements. The event also saw special participation from Punjab leaders including Sukhbir Singh Minhas, Amardeep Singh Patiala and Jaspreet Singh Narwal.