London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Downing Street issued an apology to UK Hindus after serving meat and alcohol at its Diwali celebration two, a spokesperson for Sir Keir Starmer said on Friday, following backlash over the event.
Press reports from India revealed that some British Hindu guests were offended when beer, wine, and lamb were served at last month’s annual Downing Street reception.
While the Hindu religion has not prohibited drinking alcohol or meat consumption, many Hindus refrain from drinking, and some also follow a vegetarian diet.
Number 10 admitted the “mistake” and assured it “will not happen again”.
The No 10 spokesperson said, “The Prime Minister was pleased to welcome a range of communities celebrating Diwali to a reception in Downing Street. He paid tribute to the huge contribution the British Hindu, Sikh & Jain communities make to our country and how the government is driven by the shared values of hard work, ambition and aspiration.
She added, “A mistake was made in the organisation of the event. We understand the strength of feeling on this issue and so would apologise to the community and assure them it will not happen again”.
The Conservative MP for Leicester East, Shivani Raja, wrote to Sir Keir Starmer stating that she was “greatly concerned” by Number 10 “disappointing lack of knowledge of the customs and traditions that many British citizens hold dear”.
She said, “As a practising Hindu, representing thousands of Hindus within my own constituency of Leicester East, I have been deeply saddened to hear that this year’s festivities were overshadowed in the greatest Office of State by negativity, as a result of this oversight”.
Diwali celebrations at Downing Street were first introduced in 2009 under Prime Minister Gordon Brown. This tradition of hosting annual Diwali events persisted under successive prime ministers, including Rishi Sunak, who became Britain’s first Hindu prime minister and took charge in 2022.
Rishi Sunak made headlines as chancellor in the year 2020 when she lit diya candles for Diwali on the steps of Downing Street, a tradition she maintained after becoming the UK’s first British Indian prime minister.
However, Sunak was less strict in dietary choices than some Hindus, admitting to openly enjoying club sandwiches with chicken and bacon, and pork pies.
In the thick of these Diwali celebrations at Downing Street, Sunak and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed free trade agreements between both countries.
Those who have attended previous year’s events say the event has rationally been alcohol-free and vegetarian.
The five-day celebrations enjoyed by Sikhs, Jains, and Hindus represent new beginnings, the victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.