This evening on Capitol Hill, the Sikh tradition of langar will be shared to promote equality and challenge political rhetoric hostile to minorities.
On July 9, Capitol Hill will host the Sikh tradition known as langar, symbolizing equality and communal harmony, while addressing contemporary political tensions. Langar, a ceremonial communal meal, traces back to the 15th century when Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, introduced it to eliminate caste divisions and foster community. This event represents a cultural statement at a time when political rhetoric in the U.S. has cast a shadow on minority and immigrant groups.
The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) spearheads this gathering, marking its ninth iteration. This year, the Langar on the Hill returns to an in-person format, managed by interns from SikhLEAD, SALDEF’s Washington, D.C., internship initiative. Their effort aims to highlight Sikh American presence amidst a climate that has been less than welcoming, with instances of anti-Sikh sentiments emerging from within political circles.
Kiran Kaur Gill, executive director of SALDEF, explains, “Everyone sits together, and they eat a meal together, which is served and prepared by volunteers. And I think it’s a really special way to show how we’re all connected.”
Simar Thind, a policy and programs associate at SALDEF, underscores langar’s essence as an “anti-segregation movement.” He emphasizes its role in community building, noting, “It’s a method of quiet resistance, resilience and community building. And more than anything, I think community building during this time is so necessary.”
This year’s langar event is particularly poignant due to rising anti-immigrant and anti-Sikh rhetoric. Recent political missteps include U.S. Rep. Mary Miller’s mistaken identity in a tweet, and Republican politician Harmeet Dhillon facing backlash over a religious prayer. Such incidents amplify the need for events like Langar on the Hill, which reaffirm Sikh values like sarbat da bhala, or welfare for all.
Gill emphasizes that this gathering symbolizes inclusivity, stating, “To be able to have this event on Capitol Hill and really take up space in a way where it’s inclusive of all communities I think really speaks to what so many of us believe we can strive for as a country.”
Interns like Jasleen Kaur play a pivotal role in organizing the event. Kaur’s journey to advocacy was sparked by a tragedy — the 2012 mass shooting at a gurdwara in Wisconsin. That moment motivated her to engage others in understanding Sikh values, blending her faith with public outreach.
Reminiscing about her roots in advocacy, she shared, “A lot of Sikhi is very focused on justice and living in this boundless optimism we call Chardi Kala, and just living for the sake of creating a better environment for all of humanity.”
Currently a political science student, Kaur aspires to a career in law and public service, hinting at a potential future on Capitol Hill. Her dedication reflects a broader Sikh American commitment to building a just and inclusive society.
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