Along with his spouse Akshata Murty, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who is anticipated to lead the Conservative Party to its “worst-ever” result in the July elections, prayed at London’s BAPS Swaminarayan Temple, also referred to as Neasden Temple. On the final weekend of the general election campaign, the couple visited the temple on Saturday, June 29. They were welcomed with enthusiastic applause and carried out puja under the guidance of the priests.
The British prime minister declared, “I am Hindu, and like all of you, I draw inspiration and comfort from my faith.”
“Taking the oath of office as a member of Parliament on the “Bhagavad Gita” made me very proud. Our religion instructs us to carry out our responsibilities with faithfulness and to not worry about the results. My lovely and loving parents raised me to believe that, and I strive to live my life in accordance with it. I also wish to impart this belief to my girls as they get older. “My approach to public service is guided by dharma,” he added, as cited by Press Trust of India.
Speaking of his wife’s family’s charitable endeavors, Sunak lauded her as “the greatest support that any husband could ever have” and “someone committed to a life of service” in the midst of constant attention being drawn to wife Akshata Murty’s income from her shares in father Narayan Murthy’s IT company Infosys.
“I want to start by thanking all of you for your support, your prayers, and your love,” Rishi Sunak said, addressing the audience. You have accompanied me at every turn. I have felt your support during the toughest times in my career, and I understand how proud it is to have a British-Asian prime minister. I promise never to let you down.”
Citing family, education, and hard work as “our values bind us together,” the British prime minister claimed that the reason so many Indians support the Conservative party.
After India defeated South Africa to win the T20 Cricket World Cup, Sunak also made jokes about cricket results with the assembled believers.
The visit took place the day after Sunak expressed his hurt and rage over a right-wing Reform UK party fan caught on camera disparaging him racially and claimed it was too crucial for him to remain silent.
Sunak became the first ethnic minority prime minister of Britain when he was born in Southampton in 1980 to Hindu parents who were originally from Punjab.