On Friday, the office of United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer tendered an apology after some British Hindus objected to non-vegetarian food and alcohol being served during a Diwali reception at 10 Downing Street. The photograph of Diwali celebrations at 10 Downing Street had gone viral showing Prime Minister Starmer in a festive mood with decorative thaali in his hand. Entire 10 Downing Street was beautifully decorated as per Indian customs and rituals.
The Diwali celebrations marked controversy after after The British Indian Conservative Party MP Shivani Raja, write a formal letter to the Prime Minister Starmer and expressed concerns over the reception not being “in keeping with the customs of many Hindus”.
“I feel it speaks poorly against the organisation of this year’s event – with a disappointing lack of knowledge of the customs and traditions that many British citizens hold dear,” her letter posted on social media said.
Back home in India, veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, Vijay Jolly on X, slammed British Prime Minister for serving alcohol and meat during Diwali reception.
The Diwali reception has been held regularly over the years at Downing Street. Starmer wanted to continue the tradition introduced by former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as the first British Hindu Prime Minister of Britain and light candles on the doorstep of 10 Downing Street to mark Diwali.
The Diwali extravaganza was the first Diwali reception since the Keir Starmer-led Labour party government came into power.
