Close shave for Rakesh Tikait as car collides with nilgai in UP's Muzaffarnagar

Rakesh Tikait, a farmer leader and national spokesperson of Bharatiya Kisan Union, had a narrow escape in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar district when a nilgai collided with the front portion of his vehicle, news agency PTI reported officials said on Saturday.

According to Rakesh Tikait, the accident took place when his vehicle was near the Meerpur bypass road in Muzaffarnagar district. A nilgai suddenly appeared on the road and collided with his car, even as the BKU leader escaped unhurt.

On getting information, Uttar Pradesh minister Kapil Dev Agarwal and Muzaffarnagar Lok Sabha MP Harendra Singh Malik visited Tikait's residence to check on the farmer leader.

Who is Rakesh Tikait?

• Rakesh Tikait is the son of Mahendra Singh Tikait, a prominent farmer leader.
• Rakesh Tikait gained national attention during the 2020–21 farmers' protests against the now-repealed three Central farm laws. He played a key role in mobilising farmers, especially from western Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab.
• A former police officer-turned-activist, Tikait has been actively involved in farmers' issues for years, advocating for minimum support prices (MSP), loan waivers, and other agrarian concerns. His influence remains strong, especially among Jat farmers in North India.