New Delhi / Chandigarh:- On the eve of the 15th Punya Tithi of Chaudhary Mahendra Singh Tikait, the Messiah of Farmers, a tribute meeting and seminar was organized by All India Jat Mahasabha at the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi under the title “Ek Sham Kisan Masiha De Naam”. In which many prominent people associated with political, social and farmer organizations from across the country participated and Chaudhary Mahendra Singh Tikait’s struggles, his historical contribution to the farmers’ movement and his personality were remembered with respect. The function was presided over by Jaspal Singh Sidhu, while Mohit Tomar conducted the stage.
Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surendra Chaudhary, Rohtak MP Deependra Singh Hooda, Buxar MP Sudhakar Singh, Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, Muzaffarnagar MP Harinder Malik, Samajwadi Party spokespersons Manoj Singh Kaka and Raj Kumar Bhati, Bhartiya Kisan Union National Spokesperson Chaudhary Rakesh Tikait, Bhartiya Kisan Union and Akhil Bharatiya Jat Mahasabha National General Secretary Chaudhary Yudhvir Singh, Akhil Bharatiya Jat Mahasabha National Senior Vice President and Punjab President Harpal Singh Harpura, Akhil Bharatiya Jat Mahasabha National Secretary Chaudhary Dharamvir Singh Jadaun, Sudhakar Singh MP Bihar and many other dignitaries were present. The Chief Guest of the programme, Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Shri Surendra Chaudhary was specially honoured by presenting a mace.
Chaudhary Rakesh Tikait, National Spokesperson of Bharatiya Kisan Union, said, “Mahinder Singh Tikait ji taught farmers to live with their heads held high. His life was not dedicated to any position, power or personal ambition, but to the fight for the respect and rights of farmers.” He said that today the country’s farmers are struggling with many problems like fair price of crops, rising cost, electricity, water and land acquisition, but if the farmers remain united, every battle can be won.
He said that Tikait Sahib always said that a farmer is not weak, he only needs to recognize his strength. He said that Mahinder Singh Tikait used to sit among thousands of farmers and listen to their problems and always took the movement forward in a peaceful but strong manner. He said that the new generation needs to understand the struggle and ideas of Tikait Sahib. He also said that it is very important to organize such programs at the Constitution Club of Delhi so that the people of Delhi and its surroundings can get information about the issues related to farmers. He also congratulated all the participants for making the program a success.
Chaudhary Yudhvir Singh, National General Secretary of BKU and All India Jat Mahasabha, shared many inspiring incidents related to Mahendra Singh Tikait Ji in his address. He said that once during the Bharatpur movement, Maharaja had invited Tikait Sahib for food, but he had clearly said that he would not eat alone, because thousands of farmers were present with him.
He told the Maharaja that if it is not possible to arrange food for all the farmers, then send just one sack of gram, the farmers will make their living with it. Yudhvir Singh said that this was a symbol of Tikait Sahib's simplicity, equality and dedication towards the interests of the farmers.
National Senior Vice President of Akhil Bharatiya Jat Mahasabha and Punjab President Harpal Singh Harpura said that Tikait Sahib had created history by uniting lakhs of farmers in Delhi during that period. He said that the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had also proposed him to go to Rajya Sabha, but he rejected it, saying that working for farmers was greater than any position.
He said that Chaudhary Mahendra Singh Tikait was not just a person, but was the strongest voice of struggle, self-respect and farmers' rights. He united the farmers above caste, religion and regionalism and fought for their rights throughout his life. The speakers said that even today when the farmers of the country fight for their rights, somewhere or the other the militant thinking of Tikait Sahib is visible in them. Emphasizing on the unity of the farming community, he said that Baba Mahendra Singh Tikait was not just a leader, but was the loud voice of the farmers.
Parvinder Awana, a youth from the area, said that farmers and youth power are the real strength of the country and stressed on the need to strengthen social harmony and brotherhood. He said that the unity of Jat and Gujjar society will give a new direction to the social and farmers' movements in the coming times. During this, Sukhbir Singh Minhas, Amardeep Singh Patiala, Jaspreet Singh Narwal etc. from Punjab specially participated.