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Chandigarh: In times of inflation, if someone promises to provide free petrol, a crowd will surely gather. Something similar happened in Chandigarh, where a unique 'Petrol Langar' was announced on social media. On August 18, hundreds of people wearing umbrellas and raincoats reached a fuel station in Sector 10 amid heavy rain, but had to return without a drop of petrol.

Rain became villain, people kept waiting for 2 hours   

According to the plan, two-wheeler and three-wheeler users were to get petrol coupons worth Rs 500 and four-wheeler users were to get Rs 1000. People had started standing in line since morning. But heavy rains and waterlogging started in Chandigarh.

A young man present at the spot said, "I reached here even in heavy rain, waiting for two hours, but no coupon was given. Now it is being said that it will be available on Friday." According to ANI report, there was a huge crowd, but not a single coupon was distributed. Some people had arrived without vehicles carrying big boxes and containers.

Who is behind this petrol langar?  

The person behind this whole idea is Amritsar's social media influencer Rakesh Trehan, who is known as 'Raja D King'. Trehan, who describes himself as a crypto trader and former stock market investor, says he wants to donate 90% of his father's wealth and 90% of his own wealth. Earlier he had distributed food and Rs 500 notes among the people and now he is saying that the next 'iPhone Langar' will be there.

After criticism, Trehan clarified that the langar has not been cancelled, it has only been postponed. He told ANI, "There will be 100% langar. My team had reached there yesterday, but had to be stopped due to storm and rain. If it had not been raining, the crowd would have been even greater."

He also said that he had prohibited those without vehicles because some people were trying to buy petrol and sell it further, which is wrong. Now he has promised that petrol langar will be run continuously for 3 days from Friday 21st August.

Is it a donation or a publicity stunt?   

Langar is a tradition of Sikhism, where free food is provided to everyone without any discrimination. In Punjab, this idea has now reached from tea, water, medicines to fuel. But questions are also being raised on this petrol langar.

Chandigarh journalist Rishu Raj Singh wrote on X, "Politicians have made people addicted to getting everything for free. People were literally standing in the rain waiting for free petrol. What are we becoming?" Ritu June from Haryana also asked, "Is this a donation or a publicity show?"