UK Elections 2024: How PM Keir Starmer Wooed British Hindus in Run Up to Elections

London (UK): re is absolutely no place for Hinduphobia in Britain, said newly elected Prime Minister of United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, during his visit to Shree Swaminarayan Temple in Kingsbury, North London on campaign trail last week. 

He reassured British Hindus that re is "no room whatsoever for Hinduphobia in Britain." 

This message has been consistently emphasized during Diwali and Holi celebrations in recent years, portraying Labour as prepared to take on governance of nation following 14 years in Opposition.

In his recent visit to Shree Swaminarayan Temple in Kingsbury, Kier Starmer dressed hundreds of people sitting in temple and began his speech with 'Jay Swaminarayan'. He went on to acknowledge that, 'this temple, a beacon of care and compassion in community, treats people, no matter what ir background or belief, with dignity. He wore a floral garland around his neck and received a tritional ‘tika’ on his forehe at temple.

Starmer stated at Swaminarayan Temple, "If elected next week, we will aim to govern with spirit of sewa to serve you and a world in need," reaffirming his commitment to ensuring “no room for Hinduphobia in Britain.”

re are around 1 million people in Britain who identify mselves as Hindus, according to 2021 Census.

A Labour win under Starmer might result in a more stringent stance on anti-Hindu hate crimes in UK. party has promised to bring in social welfare programmes to help poorer sections of Indian community. 

No Place for Hinduphobia in UK 

Keir Starmer's stance is steering party in a new direction on issue, distinct from show of Jeremy Corbyn, former Leer of Labour Party (2015-2020), who received criticism from British Hindu leers for his perceived “anti-Hindu” stance.

Under tenure of Corbyn, Hindu Council in UK came out with a statement saying, “Anti-Hindu prejudice h festered under Labour.”

In 2019, Anil Bhanot n director and trustee of Hindu Council, United Kingdom wrote a letter to UK’s top Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis slamming Corbyn on his anti hindu stance. 

'It is a s state of affairs that a major political party in our country which used to be a progressive socialist voice has veered towards what is almost a fascist ideology,” Bhanot wrote.

Corbyn’s views on abrogation of Article 370 from Indian Constitution also led to a group emerging called ‘British Hindu Indian Votes Matter’ that countered against Labour’s “anti-India” and “anti-Hindu” sentiment.

Labour in run up to elections has acknowledged Hindu community's demands. It will soon become evident wher newly elected 58th Prime Minister of United Kingdom lives up to his promises to British Hindus.