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London: Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office issued an apology on Friday for a “mistake” in organizing its Diwali reception at 10 Downing Street, following complaints from some British Hindus about the inclusion of non-veg food and alcohol at the event.
Although the official statement did not directly reference the menu, a spokesperson from Starmer’s office later understood the strong feelings surrounding the issue and assured the community that such a mistake would not be repeated in the future.
“The Prime Minister was pleased to host a reception at Downing Street for various communities celebrating Diwali,” said a spokesperson for the PM.
“He expressed his admiration for the significant contributions of the British Hindu, Sikh, and Jain communities to the nation, highlighting how the government is guided by shared values of hard work, ambition, and aspiration. However, a mistake was made in the event’s organization,” the spokesperson elaborated further.
“We fully understand the depth of feelings on this matter and apologize to the community. We assure them that it will not happen again,” the statement included.
The apology came a day after Shivani Raja, a British Indian Conservative Party MP, sent a formal letter to Starmer, expressing serious concerns that the reception did not match with the customs of many Hindus.
“I believe this reflects poorly on the event’s organization and shows a lack of understanding of the customs and traditions that are important to many British citizens,” Raja wrote in the letter, which she also posted on social media.
“As a practicing Hindu representing thousands of Hindus in my Leicester East constituency, I am deeply saddened that this year’s Diwali celebrations at the highest office in the land were overshadowed by negative attention due to this oversight,” she said. Raja, who was elected as a Member of Parliament in July, offered to provide assistance and guidance to the Labour government to ensure future Diwali celebrations are more respectful and mindful of the Hindu festivals.
Moreover, community organizations like Insight UK denounced what they called an “appalling lack of understanding” of the spiritual significance of Diwali. Others called for more discussion ahead of such religious events, especially after reports surfaced of meat and alcohol being served at the function.
“We deeply value and respect your heritage and traditions, and we recognize the strength of our shared values,” Starmer’s address at the event stated. “Diwali is a time for coming together, for abundance, and for welcoming one another.”