1. Rakesh Tikait
Arguably the most popular face of the protest, Rakesh Tikait of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) is a Jat leader from western Uttar Pradesh, who played a key role in reviving the movement. Hailing from a family of farmers’ leaders, 54-year-old Tikait held the baton when the agitation seemed to fizzle out after the Republic Day violence in Delhi. His breaking down on camera at the mahapanchayat resulted in a broken agitation piecing itself back together. Farmers, who had thought they will have to vacate the protest site and return to villages, did a U-turn and joined the protest again with renewed morale.
The former constable and sub-inspector with Delhi Police, who quit the force to officially join the BKU, was also a key spokesperson of the farmers who presented their stand to the government on several occasions.
2. Dr Darshan Pal
The 70-year-old MD in anaesthesia mobilised and coordinated with 30 farmers’ groups, which joined the movement. With a history of working for the rights and upliftment of farmers and as a member of the All India Kisan Sangarsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), he made sure that the thousands of farmers camping across the borders of Delhi have enough supplies and medical assistance. Known to work for kin of farmers who died by suicide and to secure loan-waivers, Dr Pal’s organisation was one of the first to give a call for the agitation.
3. Harinder Bindu, Jasbir Kaur Natt
The movement drew the attention of the international media as sociologists saw it as the beginning of a new era in gender equity due to the sizeable and active presence of women. On the forefront of this were Harinder Bindu and Jasbir Kaur Natt who not only gave scathing statements on various occasions and made sure the voices of the women were heard, but also motivated women from rural Punjab to join the agitation. They were seen making rotis along the barracks for their comrades and even cops, and also riding tractors and keeping a close vigil on the activities of the movement. As a token of recognition, TIME magazine featured the female protesters on their March 4, 2021 cover.
Image/Official Instagram account of TIME magazine
4. Joginder Singh Ugrahan
A soldier-turned-farmer, Joginder Singh Ugrahan is the President of BKU (Ekta Ugrahan). While the 75-year-old has been a noted name among farmers, he rose to national prominence after he represented the protesting community at the home ministry on Amit Shah’s invitation. A video of a group of farmers led by Ugrahan eating tiffin-packed lunch on the floor of the home minister’s office as a mark of resistance went viral, which made even unversed citizens sit up and take notice of their cause.
Ugrahan has been raising issues of small farmers ever since he quit the army to take up farming full-time. Even before the farm bills were passed on September 20, 2020, the uncompromising leader had been protesting outside the Chief Minister’s office in Punjab
5. Balbir Singh Rajewal
President of the BKU (Rajewal), Balbir Singh Rajewal is credited for bringing 31 different farmers’ organisation under one umbrella. Thanks to his seniority and strategic manoeuvres, he diffused differences in opinion among the various groups and steered them towards their common goal. The 78-year-old leader, who was once a telegraphist, has been fighting for the rights of famers for over five decades. With the repeal of the farm laws, the unionist has forwarded his and his family’s legacy of not giving in to state resistance.
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