"a disappointing lack of knowledge of the customs"
Downing Street issued an apology to British Hindus after alcohol and meat were served at its annual Diwali celebration.
In a statement, Number 10 said a “mistake” had been made and pledged “it will not happen again”.
The five-day Diwali festival symbolises new beginnings, the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.
It is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains.
Hinduism does not have a clear prohibition on alcohol or meat consumption, but many Hindus choose not to drink and some are also vegetarian.
Practising Sikhs and Jains abstain from alcohol and many choose to be vegetarian.
Downing Street has hosted a Diwali celebration for the last 15 years and it came to greater prominence under the premiership of Rishi Sunak.
Those who have attended the celebration in the past said it has usually been vegetarian and alcohol-free.
The 2024 gathering included British Indian community leaders, professionals, and parliamentarians.
News that the celebration, held on October 29, had served beer, wine and lamb kebabs had prompted anger.
Among those outraged were Shivani Raja, the Conservative MP for Leicester East, who said she was “greatly concerned” and “deeply saddened”.
In a letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Ms Raja said:
“I feel this speaks poorly against the organisation of this year’s event – with a disappointing lack of knowledge of the customs and traditions that many British citizens hold dear.
“As a practising Hindu, representing thousands of Hindus within my own constituency of Leicester East, I have been deeply saddened to hear that this year’s festivities were overshadowed in the greatest Office of State by negativity, as a result of this oversight.”
The Prime Minister’s Diwali celebrations were overshadowed by a disappointing ignorance to the customs of many British Hindus, serving both meat and alcohol.
That’s why I’ve offered the PM my help to make sure this never happens again. Read more below ? pic.twitter.com/6yoDmdzL8z
— Shivani Raja MP (@ShivaniRaja_LE) November 14, 2024
At the time, Insight UK said: “The religious significance of Diwali should not be undermined.”
A Number 10 spokesperson said a “mistake was made in the organisation of the event”.
“We understand the strength of feeling on this issue and so would apologise to the community and assure them it will not happen again.”
They added: “The Prime Minister was pleased to welcome a range of communities celebrating Diwali to a reception in Downing Street.
“He paid tribute to the huge contribution the British Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities make to our country and how the government is driven by the shared values of hard work, ambition and aspiration.”
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