It is shocking to note that the Langar to offer free meals which was set up by the Goa Sikh Youth on the occasion of the feast of St Francis Xavier was abruptly stopped by the Old Goa police, but was allowed to resume following public outcry.
It is learnt that the police told the Association to stop the Langar as a complaint had been received against them. However, Goans involved with the Goa Sikh Youth in setting up the Langar expressed their anger against the authorities for sabotaging such a humane activity instead of supporting it after which the Langar was allowed to continue at the same place.
Langar is a community kitchen in the Sikh tradition. The concept of Langar is to provide everyone in need of food, irrespective of their caste, class, religion and gender. Besides the virtue of sharing, the concept of Langar also teaches equality and kindness.
In the recent past a viral video, shared by a global Sikh NGO on Twitter, showed students caught in the Russia-Ukraine war having meals served in the Langar on a moving train.
The Sikh organization was reportedly providing Langar and assistance to students of different countries stuck in war-torn Ukraine. Feeding the hungry is in accordance with the teachings of Jesus Christ.
According to the Bible “If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.” (Isaiah 58:10).
