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Muslim majority Malerkotla from Punjab served langar to the majority Sikh protesters at Delhi’s Singhu border. Malerkotla, home for the shrine of Baba Haidar Sheikh and significant as the only place in Punjab that did not see any communal violence during partition, showcased a hopeful picture when lakhs of Punjabi Muslims moved to the newly created Pakistan, the people of the Muslim majority Malerkotla remained in India. 

When the sons of Guru Gobind Singh were ordered to be tortured by the governor of Sirhind, the nawab of Malerkotla, Sher Mohammed Khan, opposed the order, earning the respect, support and blessings of the tenth Sikh Guru. 

Sikh brethren flocked in and fed shaheen bagh protesters, and now Muslims of Malerkotla served their special zarda pulao. Zarda is yellow sweetened rice, a dish associated with weddings and special occasions in Malerkotla. 

Several community kitchens have been set up by Muslims to feed the protesting farmers. And this is not the first time Muslims coming in solidarity with the farmers’ protest. Earlier Delhi mosques had created headlines by opening their doors and hosting farmers and distributing meals. At least 25 mosques in Delhi hosted the farmers for the night stay by opening their doors and arranging blankets.

Also, delegations of Muslim parties had joined the farmers protesting along the borders of New Delhi against the contentious farm laws. Representatives from Delhi state committees of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and Muslim Youth League (MYL) visited Ghazipur border, while Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) members marched at Singhu border.