Row over alcohol, non-veg food at Downing Street Diwali event

Reports indicate that non-vegetarian food and alcohol were included, leading to objections over a lack of consultation regarding the menu.

• EasternEye
• 11 November, 2024

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By: EasternEye

SOME Hindus have raised concerns on social media over the menu served at a recent Diwali reception hosted by Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street.

Reports indicate that non-vegetarian food and alcohol were included, leading to objections over a lack of consultation regarding the menu.

Community organisation Insight UK criticised what it described as an “appalling lack of understanding” of Diwali’s spiritual significance.

“Diwali is not just a time for festivity but also holds a deeply religious meaning. The sacred festival of Diwali emphasises purity and devotion and hence traditionally involves vegetarian meals and strict avoidance of alcohol,” Insight UK said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐢 𝐃𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐥𝐞: 𝐒𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐡𝐨𝐥

This year’s Diwali celebration at 10 Downing Street, hosted by PM Keir Starmer has sparked significant backlash after reports surfaced… pic.twitter.com/13IB1WRJlE

— INSIGHT UK (@INSIGHTUK2) November 8, 2024

The organisation further questioned whether Hindu community organisations and religious leaders were consulted, calling for “greater consideration” for cultural sensitivity and inclusivity at future events. “The choice of menu at the Diwali celebration hosted by the Prime Minister himself displays an appalling lack of understanding or respect for the religious traditions associated with the festival of Diwali,” Insight UK’s post added.

Pandit Satish K Sharma, a Dharmic speaker and author, also commented, noting a “complete lack of sensitivity and simple consultation” at the event.

“If accidental, it’s still disappointing,” he said. Other British Hindu groups have highlighted a lack of invitations to the event, which had been hosted at Downing Street in past years and was last overseen by Rishi Sunak, Britain’s first Hindu prime minister.

Downing Street has not commented on the menu at the October 29 event, which marked the first Diwali celebration since the Labour Party’s victory in the July general election.

Sources indicated that the gathering included a wide range of community representatives, including those celebrating the Sikh festival of Bandi Chhor Divas. Starmer’s address at the event highlighted the shared values of Diwali, describing it as “a time of coming together, of abundance, and welcome.”

(With inputs from PTI)