Here's why Bangla Sahib Gurdwara is "godsent" for the protesting Tamil Nadu farmers in New Delhi

Tamil Nadu farmers in New Delhi, toiling for their rights, have a reason to smile. Partners in their plight, they have the support of the famous Bangla Sahib Gurudwara who take care of their meals everyday, so that they do not go hungry. The idea behind the help is simple and reportedly has no political  interest. The institution believes in serving others and that is exactly what they are doing, said a Gurudwara volunteer.

With no link with the protest whatsoever, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) has opened its kitchen to the farmers who have made Jantar Mantar their home for the past three months, demanding loan waivers and drought-relief packages. Manjit Singh, President of DSGMC, speaking to NDTV said, "These protesters at Jantar Mantar come from far places. Neither do they know the language nor where to go to eat. So we deliver langar food twice a day to them. We would have provided them accommodation too but they haven't asked for that service yet."

The Gurudwara served them a langar lunch comprising  chapatis, dal, sabzi and kheer to around 10,000 visitors everyday at regular intervals. Singh said, "We initially took the same food for the farmers but soon realised they prefer rice over chapatis. So now we send some rice too. After all, this is Guru ka Langar and we don't discriminate. Some consider it our allegiance to their protest but no, we are just serving those who seek Guru's help."

The farmers from Tamil Nadu have been protesting for the past 100 days, putting up at makeshift tent at the Jantar Mantar. With 60% deficit in rainfall, Tamil Nadu witnessed its worst drought in 140 years. The farmers are demanding Rs. 40,000-crore drought relief package, farm loan waiver and setting up of the Cauvery Management Board by the centre, crop insurance for individual farmers and remunerative prices for their produce. Speaking of their ordeal, one of the farmers rued, "The bank has confiscated my wife's jwellery, our savings and my family of four eats only once a day. We need to stay here to maintain pressure on the government to act and that is only possible if our stomachs are filled."

Another farmer said, "Our families are hungry back home and we are fighting for our survival here. You volunteers are godsend."

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