India, Nov. 4 -- As the country and the world celebrate the birthday of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, Down To Earth delves into why the institution of Langar or community kitchen is such an intrinsic and fundamental part of the faith and how it came to be so.

DTE spoke to historian and Associate Professor, School of Liberal Studies, at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University Delhi, Yogesh Snehi, about the backstory to Langar becoming an article of faith in Sikhism. Excerpts:

Rajat Ghai (RG): How, in your view, did Guru Nanak zero in on the idea of equality through food through the institution of Langar in a caste-ridden society, adhering to the ideas of pollution and purity?

Yogesh Snehi (YS): To answer that, we must first understand the sp...