Non-Veg Food at Keir Starmer’s Diwali Party: UK PM’s Office Apologises After Outrage

Posted by London Swaminathan on 15-11-2024

Collected from Newspapers in Britain

London: The office of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday apologised for a “mistake” in the organisation of its Diwali reception at 10 Downing Street recently.

The apology came after some British Hindus objected to non-vegetarian food and alcohol being served at the Diwali party, reported PTI.

The statement from PM’s office did not directly refer to the controversial menu. However, a spokesperson from Starmer’s office said that the team acknowledged the strength of feeling on the issue and assured the community that it won’t be ever repeated.

“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 and Jain communities make to our country and how the government is driven by the shared values of hard work, ambition and aspiration. A mistake was made in the organisation of the event,” a Downing Street spokesperson said.

“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 spokesperson added.

The apology came a day after British Indian Conservative Party MP Shivani Raja wrote to Starmer expressing 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,” said her letter posted on social media.

“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,” stated the first-time Tory member of Parliament, who was elected in July from the city of Leicester.

The Opposition MP offered her “assistance and guidance” to the Labour Party government for all future Hindu celebrations to ensure they are celebrated in a “respectful manner”.

The Prime Minister’s Diwali celebrations were overshadowed by a disappointing ignorance to the customs of many British Hindus, serving both meat and alcohol.

That’s why I’ve offered the PM my help to make sure this never happens again. Read more below  pic.twitter.com/6yoDmdzL8z

— Shivani Raja MP (@ShivaniRaja_LE) November 14, 2024

British Hindu community criticised the non-vegetarian food and alcohol in Menu, that were served at the event. Many attendees felt was not appropriate for a Diwali celebration as it is closely tied to Hindu traditions.

A statement from Downing Street was released by a spokesperson: “We understand the strength of feeling on this issue and assure the community it will not happen again,” he assured, saying that while the community’s concerns were well noted, future celebrations “should be more appropriate with respect for other cultures.”

Criticism From Leaders of Community

British Indian Conservative MP Shivani Raja, representing Leicester East, expressed disappointment in a formal letter to Prime Minister Starmer. As a practising Hindu, she highlighted the event’s failure to align with traditions observed by many Hindus.

“It is a pity that an occasion that normally displays such high awareness now gives the impression of a most disappointing lack of knowledge about many British customs and traditions by which most citizens are so moved,” she said.

Critics from many community groups including INSIGHT UK attacked the Diwali reception, arguing that more consultation and fewer cultural faux pas were required.

The reception was on October 29 and marked the first Diwali celebration organized by the Labour government since their electoral victory.

The diary page also illustrates the significance of Diwali parties at Downing Street for British Hindus, as this has become a massive yearly affair after Britain had its first Hindu prime minister in the form of Rishi Sunak.

Traditionally, Diwali celebrations have always been vegetarian and alcohol-free due to the sensitivity of the Hindu community on such matters.

Prime Minister Starmer’s speech at the function promoted common values and communal practices. He has also underlined parts of Hindu, Sikh, and Jain traditions in this regard; however, it got lost in the menu for those diners.

–SUBHAM—

TAGS- Diwali dinner, British PM, Non Veg. food, Liquor, Hindus, Condemn