British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, during a visit to the ongoing 'Ram Katha' being conducted by spiritual leader Morari Bapu at Jesus College, University of Cambridge, said that he was there "not as a prime minister, but as a Hindu." "Bapu, I am here today not as a Prime Minister, but as a Hindu,” said Sunak, opening his address at the gathering.
Referring to himself as a "proud British and Hindu", Sunak said, "Our values and what I see Bapu (Ganesha) does each day of his life are the values of selfless service, devotion and keeping faith. But perhaps the greatest value is duty or sewa, as we know it. These Hindu values are very much shared British values.”
Pointing to a large golden image of Lord Hanuman as the backdrop to Morari Bapu's Ram Katha, the British prime minister said it reminded him of how a “golden Ganesha sits gleefully on my desk at 10 Downing Street”. "It is a constant reminder to me about listening and reflecting on issues before acting,” he shared.
He concluded his address with the words 'Jai Siya Ram’ and went on to participate in an aarti on stage. Britain's first Indian-origin Prime Minister also highlighted the significance of the event coinciding with India’s Independence Day.
