Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office issued an apology on Friday following criticism from British Hindus over the inclusion of non-vegetarian food and alcohol at the recent Diwali reception held at 10 Downing Street. The event, intended to celebrate the festival with British Indian community leaders and MPs, drew backlash for not adhering to Hindu traditions.

While the official statement did not explicitly address the menu, a spokesperson from Starmer’s office acknowledged the concerns raised and assured that steps would be taken to prevent similar oversights in the future. "We understand the strength of feeling on this issue and assure the community it will not happen again," the spokesperson said.

Criticism from the Community

The controversy gained prominence after British Indian Conservative MP Shivani Raja wrote a letter to Starmer expressing her disappointment. Representing Leicester East, a constituency with a significant Hindu population, Raja described the incident as a result of a "lack of knowledge" about Hindu customs.

“As a practising Hindu, I am deeply saddened that this year’s Diwali festivities at 10 Downing Street were overshadowed by negativity due to this oversight,” she wrote, offering her assistance to ensure future celebrations align with cultural and religious sensitivities.

Community group Insight UK also criticised the event, calling it an “appalling lack of understanding” of the spiritual essence of Diwali. They urged better consultation with community leaders for organising events to respect cultural traditions.

Diwali at 10 Downing Street

Held on October 29, this was the first Diwali reception hosted by the Labour government since their recent electoral victory. The event featured Starmer lighting candles on the doorstep of 10 Downing Street, echoing a similar gesture by his predecessor, Rishi Sunak, the first British Hindu Prime Minister.

During the reception, Starmer highlighted shared values and praised the contributions of the Hindu, Sikh, and Jain communities in the UK. He described Diwali as a celebration of unity, prosperity, and welcome, emphasising its universal message.

Moving Forward

The apology underscores the importance of cultural sensitivity in public celebrations. Starmer’s office has promised to engage with community leaders to ensure future events are more inclusive and respectful of religious traditions.