Man Booked for Social Media Post Offering Bounty on BKU Leader Rakesh Tikait; Protests Erupt in Muzaffarnagar and Meerut
Authorities in Uttar Pradesh have booked a man identified as Amit Choudhry after he allegedly posted a video on social media announcing a cash reward for anyone who beheads Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait.
The video, which quickly went viral, sparked outrage and led to widespread protests by BKU supporters in Muzaffarnagar and Meerut.
The incident came to light when a video clip began circulating on various social media platforms in which Choudhry purportedly announced a bounty of ₹5 lakh on Tikait’s head.
The inflammatory nature of the content prompted immediate reactions from the farming community, especially from supporters of the BKU, a major farmers’ organization that has been at the forefront of numerous protests in recent years, including the nationwide agitation against the now-repealed farm laws.
In response to the post, the BKU launched strong protests in Muzaffarnagar. The agitation was led by the union’s Muzaffarnagar district president, Naveen Rathi, who demanded swift and decisive action against the accused.
Rathi filed a formal First Information Report (FIR) at the Civil Lines Police Station in Muzaffarnagar, calling the video a direct threat to the life of a respected farmer leader and an incitement to violence.
Station House Officer (SHO) Ashutosh Kumar Singh confirmed the registration of a case and said the matter is being taken seriously. In the viral video, the accused can be seen allegedly offering a ₹5 lakh reward for the beheading of Mr. Rakesh Tikait.
An FIR has been lodged, and further investigation is underway,” Singh said. However, police officials refrained from commenting on the possible motive behind the post, stating that uncovering the reasons will be a part of the broader investigation.
The outrage was not limited to Muzaffarnagar. In Meerut, BKU activists intensified the pressure by staging another round of protests. Led by the union’s Meerut district president, Anurag Chaudhary, a large group of demonstrators gathered at the Jani Police Station.
In a symbolic show of dissent, the protesters used tractor-trailers to block the entrance and staged a sit-in on the police station premises, demanding immediate arrest and strict action against the accused.
BKU leaders in both districts criticized the administration for its initial silence and warned that if adequate steps are not taken, the protest movement could expand further.
They emphasized that such threats to farmer leaders not only endanger individuals but also attempt to silence voices that represent the farming community at large.
Both district police departments confirmed that FIRs have been registered and assured that the matter is under active investigation.
However, they declined to provide additional details about the suspect or any affiliations he may have, citing the ongoing nature of the probe.
The BKU, which has a strong support base in western Uttar Pradesh and across parts of northern India, has demanded increased security for its leaders and urged the government to take a firm stand against attempts to intimidate or incite violence against farmer representatives.
As of now, no arrests have been made in the case, and law enforcement officials continue to monitor the situation closely to prevent any escalation of tensions.
