Meat and alcohol had been allegedly served on the Diwali social gathering hosted by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10, Downing Avenue, offending some British Hindus. The celebration on the PM’s official residence, attended by neighborhood leaders and prime politicians, included lighting diyas, a Kuchipudi dance efficiency, and a speech by Starmer.
Some British Hindus, nevertheless, expressed shock once they discovered the dinner menu included liquor and non-vegetarian dishes. Lamb kebabs, beer, and wine had been served to the company, studies recommend.
Meat and liquor weren’t on the menu when Rishi Sunak hosted the Diwali celebration final 12 months.
Satish Okay Sharma, a distinguished British Hindu pandit, accused the Prime Minister’s workplace of a “full lack of sensitivity and easy session”.
“For the final 14 years or so, the Diwali celebration at 10, Downing Avenue has been with out meat and alcohol. I’m disenchanted and fairly shocked that this 12 months’s celebration appeared to be an inebriated meat-induced stupor-dominated occasion. It is a tragedy that the prime minister’s advisers would have been so careless and negligent,” he stated in a video assertion posted on X.
If it was unintended, it was nonetheless disappointing, and if deliberate, the Prime Minister has despatched a message to the British Hindu neighborhood, learn Mr Sharma’s publish as he known as on Starmer to challenge an announcement.
Perception UK, a social motion of British Hindus and Indians, stated the “sacred celebration was marred by meat and alcohol” and has supplied to advise 10, Downing Avenue officers on non secular sentiments.
The selection of menu displayed an appalling lack of expertise or respect for the non secular traditions related to Diwali, it stated in a web based publish, urging larger consideration for future occasions.
10, Downing Avenue is but to reply.