Farmers Movement Archive

SGPC langar across Punjab and Haryana to Akalis triggers row

PATIALA: The langar organised by SGPC at some places across Punjab and Haryana for SAD (B) workers has irked farmers and others, who feel it is misuse of langar. In Patiala, Gurdwara Dukh Niwaran Sahib served langar at the national highway on Sangrur-Chandigarh road. Gurdwara authorities said the langar was installed for protesting farmers near Barsat village. However, farmers’ unions said no official protest was declared at Barsat village or Mehmadpur grain market of Patiala. A video highlighting the ‘langar’ organised at Sangrur-Chandigarh highway went viral on social media, including Facebook, on Thursday. “‘Guru di Golak’ has turned to the mouth of ‘Badals’ instead of the ‘poor’. The SGPC never organised langar for farmers who have been holding protests for many days. Farmers have been preparing langar on their own from the beginning. On Thursday, the langar by SGPC-run gurdwaras were held only to support the rally of SAD (B) as Harsimrat Kaur Badal was supposed to cross from this road to reach Chandigarh,” said Rajinder Singh, state executive body member, Panthic Akali Lehar, who circulated the video. Farmers’ unions also condemned the misuse of langar for the political party. “It was a political move of SAD (B) to hold a rally in support of farmers, though farmers do not want their agitation to be taken over by any political party for their personal benefits,” said BKU Ekta-Dkanunda general secretary Jagmohan Singh Patiala. Karnail Singh, manager, gurdwara Dukh Niwaran Sahib, Patiala said they served langar only near Barsat village in Patiala district for farmers who were protesting near the grain market. “We organised langar for the Sangat, which may come from anywhere.” SGPC member A S Chawla, however, said the langar was served only inside gurdwaras. “Langar was not organised outside the gurdwara anywhere but was served only inside gurdwaras. I do not know about Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib but there are no issues if the Langar has been served to Sangat or farmers.” Food packets distributed Phagwara: Langar for Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders and workers who were part of the procession from Akal Takht or who had come from different constituencies to welcome it or join it was served from the SGPC-controlled gurdwara Sukhchainana Sahib. It is learnt that food packets were made and distributed to Akali workers along the highway.

The Times of India

2020-10-02

Chandigarh