UK PM apologizes after controversy over non-veg in Diwali reception menu
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The office of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has issued an apology following criticism from British Hindus over the inclusion of non-vegetarian food and alcohol at a Diwali reception held at 10 Downing Street.
The event, which took place on October 29, drew backlash from some members of the community for not aligning with Hindu customs.
Acknowledging the concerns, a Downing Street spokesperson expressed regret and assured the public that such oversights would not be repeated. "The Prime Minister was pleased to welcome various communities celebrating Diwali to the reception," the spokesperson said. "A mistake was made in the organisation of the event. We understand the strength of feeling on this issue and apologise to the community."
The controversy intensified after British Indian Conservative MP Shivani Raja addressed a formal letter to Starmer, criticizing the event for its lack of sensitivity towards Hindu traditions. “It speaks poorly of the organisation of this year's event, showing a disappointing lack of understanding of customs held dear by many British Hindus,” Raja wrote.
Representing the Hindu community in Leicester East, Raja expressed her sadness over the negative impact of the oversight on the Diwali celebration. She also offered her assistance to the Labour government in planning future Hindu celebrations to ensure they are respectful of cultural and religious traditions.
Community organisation Insight UK also raised concerns, calling the incident an "appalling lack of understanding" of the spiritual significance of Diwali. Others emphasized the need for greater consultation with the Hindu community before hosting such events.
The reception, the first since Labour's election victory four months ago, brought together British Indian community leaders, professionals, and parliamentarians. Despite the controversy, Prime Minister Starmer emphasized the shared values of hard work and aspiration in his speech, acknowledging the significant contributions of British Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains to the nation.
The event mirrored a tradition upheld by Starmer’s predecessor, Rishi Sunak, who as the first British Hindu Prime Minister lit Diwali candles outside 10 Downing Street. Starmer reportedly sought to continue this gesture of goodwill, but the menu oversight overshadowed the celebration.
In his address, Starmer highlighted the importance of Diwali as a time of togetherness and abundance, reaffirming the government's commitment to respecting the traditions and heritage of the British Indian community.
