Farmers Movement Archive

‘Special’ langar menu, ardaas, paath on martyrdom day at Singhu border

December 19, the martyrdom day of Guru Teg Bahadur, the ninth guru of the Sikhs, marked an early start to the day at Singhu border on Saturday, with the morning ardaas (prayer) and a paath (religious readings), followed by the day-long agitation, in between which a special langar was served. The protestors, majority of them Sikhs, also paid a visit to a memorial of Guru Teg Bahadur, located right next to the protest site, where many of the farmers have been camping since the first day of the protest.Harinder Singh Lakhowal, general secretary, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), Ludhiana said, on Saturday the songs they usually play in the mornings and evenings on loudspeakers were replaced by bhajan and paath. “It is Guru Teg Bahadur’s martyrdom day. Unlike every day, we started our movement with ardaas and paath and in the evening too, a paath was organised specially for the day. The activities throughout the day remained more religious on Saturday than other days,” the farmer leader said.On their next move, Lakhowal said that all farmer leaders are scheduled to meet on Sunday to chalk out strategy further and plan on how to proceed with their demands of getting all three new farm laws repealed.Also Read: PM Modi stresses on India’s economic potential, defends new farm lawsThroughout Saturday, the loudspeakers at the border mostly echoed religious teachings or bhajans. The main stage also, most of the time, remained occupied by those talking about Guru Teg Bahadur’s valour and inspiring the participants of the agitation to not lose patience and stay united until “justice is served”.In the afternoon, langars had a special menu. Maan Singh, a worker at a gurdwara management in Delhi that is running one of the biggest community kitchens at Singhu border, said they served prasad in the morning followed by breakfast. “Since the day started early on Saturday, our kitchen also had to start functioning early. We are serving tea round the clock. On the occasion of the shahid diwas (martyrdom day), we had matar-paneer and sarso ka saag with makki ki roti for lunch. Since this is langar, we do not call it a special meal but today’s menu was a little different than usual,” said Singh, who is managing the biggest langar at the border.He said that on Saturday, the gathering was bigger than other days. “Every day, we serve at least 70,000 to 80,000 meals at our langars. On Saturday, as it was a special occasion, we were expecting a larger turnout. By night, at least one lakh to 1.25 lakh meals will be served here,” he added. The count includes four to five rounds of meals a day, including breakfasts, lunch, dinners and sweet dishes.The site also witnessed a swell in gathering on Saturday as more people visited the border to add their voice to the farmers’ demands. Many said they had come in solidarity while some were here to eat the prasad (religious offering) at the langars (community kitchen).Also Read: Next round of talks with farmers could be held in the next 2-3 days, says Haryana CM after meeting TomarRatanveer Singh, a resident of Tilak Nagar, said he had come to visit the protest site on the occasion of Guru Teg Bahadur’s martyrdom day. “We’re here to support the cause for which the farmers have gathered at the doorstep of Delhi. Their demands need to be met. We stand in solidarity with the farmers,” said 28-year-old Singh, who was visiting Singhu border for the third time on Saturday. Chetan Singh, a student of B.Com from the Delhi University, who visited the Singhu Border on Saturday, said this was his first time there. “We had food at the langar. It is one of the best meals I’ve had. No country can run without the support of its farmers,” he said.A group of visually impaired supporters from Punjab also arrived at Singhu border on Saturday to express solidarity with the agitating farmers. Farmer leader Lakhowal said they’re overwhelmed by the support of the differently-abled people and that such voices will only strengthen their fight for a better future for the farmers of the country. The day also saw a blood donation camp at Singhu border. Many farmers and visitors donated blood that the organisers said will be used for the treatment of thalassemia and cancer.Also Read: Farmers uproot BJP workers’ tent in Fatehabad for fast backing farm lawsOne of the organisers, not authorised to speak to the media, said the blood donation camp was from 10 am till 3pm. “The turnout was good. Till afternoon, we received 36 units of blood. We will set up more such camps here as well as at other border areas where farmers are camping,” the organiser said, asking to not be named.Senior police officers said that as the farmers; agitation entered 23rd day on Saturday, it overall remained peaceful. Jitendra Kumar Meena, additional deputy commissioner of police, said nothing untoward was reported. “We maintained sufficient deployment. The situation is being monitored regularly,” Meena said.

Hindustan Times

20-12-2020

Delhi