Bharatiya Kisan Union
The Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) is one of the most influential farmers’ organizations in India, particularly known for its role in mobilizing peasants in northern states like Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab. It emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s, drawing strength from the socio-economic changes brought about by the Green Revolution. Rising agricultural productivity created new aspirations among middle and rich farmers, especially the Jat community, who sought greater control over agricultural policies, pricing, and credit. Formally established under the leadership of Mahendra Singh Tikait in 1987, BKU quickly gained prominence by organizing massive farmer rallies and protests that highlighted issues like remunerative prices for crops, cheaper electricity, fair loan policies, and protection from market fluctuations.
BKU distinguished itself from earlier peasant movements by avoiding direct party politics and projecting itself as a non-partisan, issue-based farmers’ organization. Its strategy often relied on large-scale peaceful mobilizations, sit-ins, and negotiations with the government, which gave farmers a strong collective voice. The 1988 rally at Boat Club in Delhi, led by Tikait, marked a turning point, as it forced the government to recognize farmers as a significant political constituency. Over time, BKU became a model for farmer mobilization in other parts of the country, though its core influence remained in western Uttar Pradesh and adjoining regions.
In the post-liberalization era, BKU continued to challenge policies seen as anti-farmer, including the withdrawal of subsidies, rising input costs, and the push towards corporatization of agriculture. More recently, its active participation in the 2020–21 farmers’ protests against the three farm laws brought it back into national prominence. Though BKU has faced internal splits and the rise of regional farmer unions, it remains an important platform for agrarian voices. It symbolizes the enduring struggle of Indian farmers to secure economic justice and political recognition in a rapidly changing economy.
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