UK PM Boris Johnson Invokes Ram, Sita In Diwali Message; Hails Temples For Feeding The Needy In Covid Times

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson released a video appreciating the message of Diwali and interlinked the optimism and positivity surrounding the festival with the hopes of overcoming the ongoing pandemic. Johnson acknowledged the spirit of Deepavali to signify the victory of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance, Times Now reports.

He further added, “So I want you to know that your sacrifices and your determination to do the right thing really are helping to save lives, and tough though I know many aspects of this year have been, I have been blown away by the inspirational way in which Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains have responded to this crisis with compassion, community spirit, and a can-do attitude.”

The 56-year-old heaped praise on the temples based in UK for their good deeds during the pandemic as he expressed gratitude towards groups doing a wide range of praiseworthy activities. Johnson mentioned, “From those in temples across the country who have been cooking up a storm to create meals for the vulnerable to the community groups who have organised food parcels and checked in on people to see how they are doing.”

Moreover, the Conservative Party politician also touched upon the religious aspect of Diwali as he appealed people to derive encouragement from the values and principles comprised in the Ramayana.

“Just as Lord Rama and his wife Sita found their way home after the defeat of the demon king Ravana, their way lit by many millions of lamps, so to we shall find our way through this, and we shall do so triumphantly,” the Prime Minister signed off.

Johnson has embraced Hindu rituals and maintained a positive stance towards India in recent times. Ahead of the general elections in UK last year, Boris Johnson had visited the Swaminarayan Mandir in London along with his partner Carrie Symonds. Back then, he had reiterated that there’s no place for anti-India sentiment in the country and pledged to support Narendra Modi towards the latter’s endeavour of building a ‘New India’.