When we hear the term Langar- a simple meal consisting of daal, rice, and chapati typically comes to mind. A video making the rounds on social media shows a bunch of bananas placed in the kitchen for milkshakes to be served to people. The video, posted on Instagram by the user ‘@amritsarislive’, features a group of Sikh men peeling mountains of bananas and placing them in a large mixer. The banana milkshake is then poured into large containers, ready to be served in small plastic glasses to visitors. The video has garnered 10 million views within just seven days of being shared. Here’s how social media users reacted to the viral post:
One user commented, “Itni khubsurat bhandara sirf Sikh hi karta hai” (Only Sikhs can organise such a beautiful community meal). Another person wrote, “Punjabia wrga dil kise da ni ho skda” (No one can have a heart like the Punjabis). “Bilkul sahi, aes trah da langar healthy aa, coke band kro” (Absolutely right, this kind of langar is healthy; stop drinking Coke), said another user. Most commenters expressed their respect for the Sikh community for organising such langars.
The tradition of langar—a community kitchen that serves free meals to anyone regardless of caste, religion, or social status—has become one of the most visible symbols of equality and service in Sikhism. The food is prepared by volunteers and served to anyone who enters. Everyone eats together, seated on the floor, in a profound act of unity and defiance.
