The demand for cutouts of Rakesh Tikait at Singhu border underlines the growing popularity of the farmer leader credited with reviving the farmers movement against the Centre’s farm laws following violence during a tractor rally on Republic Day.
Roadside stalls selling badges, posters and other literature related to the farmers stir are a common sight at Singhu border.
Wasim Ali, who has set up such a stall at the protest site, says hand-held cutouts of Tikait are a big hit among the crowd.
"Each cutout of Tikait is priced at Rs 20. I have been selling the cutouts since the last few days as they are in high demand," he said.
Around 700-800 such cutouts are sold every day, said Ali, a resident of Bawana in north west Delhi.
"I usually buy these cutouts from Sadar Bazar and sell them here. These are the most demanded items at my stall," he added.
Tikait's image received a massive boost after he defiantly announced to continue the agitation, even as a large posse of Uttar Pradesh police personnel gathered at Ghazipur protest site after the Republic Day violence, with rumours rife that he might be arrested.
(PTI)
Another protestor volunteering for the work said the nursery has flowers like rose and marigold besides varieties of plants like palm, pine and others set in planters.
Farmers’ agitation entered Day 72 at Ghazipur border (Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border) on February 7. They are protesting against the three new agriculture laws.
‘Hawan’ and prayers were being performed for the peace of deceased farmers’ souls. Farmers also conducted ‘hawan’ for their self motivation.
"Yeh jan andolan hai, yeh fail nahi hoga (this is a people's movement, this will not fail)," he added.
"There was a reason why Foreign Ministry reacted to statements which some celebrities gave out on matters on which they obviously didn't know very much," Jaishankar told news agency ANI.