No Old Rates: Rakesh Tikait Warns Govt at Moradabad Mahapanchayat
Rakesh Tikait demands current market rates for land acquisition and higher sugarcane prices at the Moradabad Mahapanchayat.
In a powerful display of agrarian mobilization, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) national spokesperson Rakesh Tikait led a massive farmers' gathering, or Mahapanchayat, in Agwanpur, Moradabad, on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. The event, organized under the leadership of BKU Moradabad district president Ghanendra Sharma, became a focal point for farmers to voice their frustrations over land rights and government agricultural policies.
The Battle Over Land Acquisition
The primary flashpoint of the assembly was the issue of land acquisition for development projects. Rakesh Tikait took a hard line against the government's current practices, declaring that the farming community would no longer tolerate the use of outdated 2013 circle rates for compensation.
Tikait emphatically stated that land acquisition based on these old rates is an injustice. He demanded that the government pay compensation based on current market rates, asserting that farmers would not permit their land to be taken under unfair financial terms.
Beyond Land: A Growing List of Grievances
While land rights took center stage, the Mahapanchayat addressed a wide array of systemic issues affecting the rural economy. Tikait highlighted several critical struggles, including:
- Power Sector Concerns: Strong opposition to the privatization of the power sector and the mandatory installation of smart electricity meters.
- Sugarcane Pricing: A formal demand from the BKU to set the sugarcane procurement price at 600 rupees per quintal.
- MSP and Crop Loss: Calls for the procurement of paddy at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and increased compensation for farmers facing crop damage.
These demands are part of a comprehensive 12-point charter that Tikait had previously presented during the Kisan Kranti Mahapanchayat in Prayagraj on October 27, 2026. This charter also specifically includes demands for fair compensation regarding the Ring Road and Vindhya Expressway projects.
A Tour of Resistance
The Moradabad event marked the culmination of a high-intensity tour conducted by Tikait between October 7 and October 28, 2026. During this period, he traveled across multiple states, organizing farmer-laborer Mahapanchayats to build a unified front against perceived government neglect.
Tikait did not mince words regarding the administration, accusing the government of disregarding constitutional norms and ignoring the fundamental needs of the agrarian community.
Political Commentary and the Way Forward
Addressing the political landscape, Tikait commented on the upcoming rally planned by Rahul Gandhi for November 1. While acknowledging the opposition's move, Tikait suggested that if such efforts had been organized earlier, many of the farmers' outstanding issues might have been resolved sooner.
He concluded by urging the government to move beyond political optics and rallies, calling instead for substantive, concrete action to alleviate the plight of the farmers.