London:
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s workplace on Friday apologised for a “mistake” within the organisation of its Diwali reception at 10 Downing Road after some British Hindus objected to non-vegetarian meals and alcohol being served on the gathering.
Whereas the assertion didn’t make a direct reference to the menu, a spokesperson for Starmer’s workplace stated the crew acknowledged the power of feeling on the difficulty and warranted the group that it might not be repeated in future.
“The Prime Minister was happy to welcome a spread of communities celebrating Diwali to a reception in Downing Road,” a Downing Road spokesperson stated.
“He paid tribute to the massive contribution the British Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities make to our nation and the way the federal government is pushed by the shared values of arduous work, ambition and aspiration. A mistake was made within the organisation of the occasion,” the spokesperson stated.
“We perceive the power of feeling on this subject and so would apologise to the group and guarantee them it won’t occur once more,” the spokesperson added.
The assertion got here a day after British Indian Conservative Occasion MP Shivani Raja issued a proper letter to Starmer expressing considerations over the reception not being “consistent with the customs of many Hindus”.
“I really feel it speaks poorly in opposition to the organisation of this yr’s occasion – with a disappointing lack of know-how of the customs and traditions that many British residents maintain expensive,” reads her letter posted on social media.
“As a practising Hindu representing hundreds of Hindus inside my very own constituency of Leicester East, I’ve been deeply saddened to listen to that this yr’s festivities have been overshadowed within the best Workplace of State by negativity, because of this oversight,” stated the first-time Tory member of Parliament elected in July from the town of Leicester.
The Opposition MP went on to supply her “help and steerage” to the Labour Occasion authorities for all future Hindu celebrations to make sure they’re celebrated in a “respectful method”.
The Downing Road occasion held on October 29 marked the primary Diwali reception since Labour was elected to authorities within the basic election 4 months in the past. It introduced collectively British Indian group leaders, professionals and parliamentarians. Nonetheless, group organisation Perception UK questioned the “appalling lack of knowledge” of the non secular side of the Hindu pageant and some others identified that better session is required forward of such non secular occasions after studies emerged of meat and alcohol being served on the gathering.
The reception has been held frequently over time at Downing Road and insiders indicated Starmer was eager to comply with within the footsteps of Rishi Sunak as the primary British Hindu Prime Minister of Britain and lightweight candles on the doorstep of 10 Downing Road to mark Diwali.
“We worth and respect your heritage and traditions, and recognise the power of our shared values and the celebration of Diwali – a time of coming collectively, of abundance, and welcome,” learn excerpts launched from Starmer’s handle on the occasion.