Festival shows multiculturalism works, say politicians and community leaders
By BARNIE CHOUDHURY and SARWAR ALAMNov 01, 2023
DIWALI – the story of good triumphing over evil – shows how multiculturalism is not failing but instead enhancing community relations in today’s Britain, prominent politicians and business leaders have told Eastern Eye.
The prime minister, Rishi Sunak, and the Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, added their voices to the message that Diwali provided hope for the future.
Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists have begun the celebrations for one of their most important religious festivals.
Leicester City Council said 40,000 people attended this year’s Diwali lights switch-on, while hundreds braved the rain at Trafalgar Square in London on Sunday (29).
Diwali celebrations at Trafalgar Square, London
London’s Labour mayor, Sadiq Khan, said that Diwali emphasised friendship.
“One of the joys of Diwali is we celebrate all that's good about our society,” Khan told Eastern Eye.
“Anybody who has studied the story of Rama and Sita, and the reasons why different religions celebrate Diwali, is the great moral for these stories is a celebration of good over evil, lightest over darkness, friendship over enmity.
“That's why it's so important, but look behind me, this today is one of the worst, wettest days, but we've had 1000s of people here today celebrating Diwali.
“Of course, Hindus, but also Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists, and those of us who aren't in any of those religions celebrating this wonderful festival.”
Sadiq Khan at the Diwali celebrations, London
Prime Minister Sunak wished Eastern Eye readers “a happy Diwali”.
“My guiding light as Prime Minister is the determination to change this country for the better, and as a symbol of the triumph of light over darkness, I believe Diwali is a poignant representation of the strive for a better future.
“I wish all readers of Eastern Eye a happy Diwali, and as millions up and down the UK and around the world light their Diyas, I want this to be a moment we can look to the future with hope.
“As your first British Asian Prime Minister, I also hope this can be a celebration of the fantastic ethnic and cultural diversity which makes the UK the place it is today.”
Rishi Sunak, then chancellor, lights traditional diyas at 11 Downing Street in 2020 (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
The Labour leader hoped the country would focus on a positive future.
“Diwali, the festival of lights, is a time when we celebrate the triumph of light over darkness, of good over evil and of knowledge over ignorance,” said Starmer.
“In dark times such as these, it is more important than ever that we do this, that we focus on a positive future in which we work together across communities and faiths to ensure that everyone, no matter their background, has an opportunity for a fulfilled and happy life.
“I’d like to underline my gratitude to the Hindu, Sikh, and Jain communities for the enormous contribution they make to this great country of ours across so many spheres and a contribution pursued in accordance with their spiritual convictions and reflecting the powerful message of Diwali.”
Sir Keir Starmer, during a visit to Shree Swaminarayan Mandir on March 2021 in Kingsbury, London (Photo by Stefan Rousseau - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Anger
But many south Asians are angry about the comments last month (26 September) of the home secretary, Suella Braverman, who said Britain had “a misguided dogma of multiculturalism”.
She told an audience in America that, “Multiculturalism makes no demands of the incomer to integrate.
“It has failed because it allowed people to come to our society and live parallel lives in it.
“And, in extreme cases, they could pursue lives aimed at undermining the stability and threatening the security of society.”
But Khan said that Braverman’s very position demonstrated that multiculturalism was alive and well in the UK.
“Evidence that multiculturalism has succeeded is who our prime minister is, who our home secretary is, who our foreign secretary is, who the first minister of Scotland is, who the leader of the Scottish Labour Party is,” he argued.
“Just looking at journalism, the judiciary, business, people of diverse backgrounds have managed to fulfil their potential here in London and here in the UK.
“Rather than people seeking to denigrate different cultures, playing dog whistle, megaphone, politics with race, they should be celebrating all that is good.”
Diwali represents our collective hopes for a brighter and more peaceful future, says Lord Jitesh Gadhia (Pic credit: Beth Walsh Photography)
The home secretary singled out Leicester as a place where multiculturalism had failed.
“We are living with the consequence of that failure today.
“You can see it play out in the streets all over Europe from Malmo to Paris, Brussels to Leicester," she said.
Leicester celebrations
Her comments angered city leaders, who celebrated the 40th anniversary of the annual switching on of the lights on Sunday.
This year 6,000 lights were put on in the Golden Mile, where thousands of Ugandan Asians settled after being expelled by Idi Amin in 1972.
“You just have to look around the crowd to see that people from every single community in Leicester want to share this,” Leicester’s Labour mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby said.
“Multiculturalism is something that is right at the heart of our 21st century culture.”
Sir Peter Soulsby (Photo by Darren Staples/Getty Images)
This newspaper has spoken to several prominent community leaders in Leicester.
They said that the expulsions from east Africa “galvanised and united” a city which in the 1970s held National Front marches and where the local authority took out adverts urging refugees to stay away.
That unity still existed, said former president of the Leicestershire Asian Business Association, Jaffer Kapasi.
Jaffer Kapasi
“We participate in Diwali celebrations or whatever's going on,” he said. “In fact, we do participate in the raas-garba (folk dancing), so we work in harmony and share each other's celebrations.
“We want to share good experiences, extending the ties, gifts and Diwali cards and so on between us.
“I received so many more cards from my Hindu friends, then my Muslim friends (during Eid), so it shows that we work together as one community.”
If proof were needed, he said, just look at how south Asian businesses operated Leicester.
“The other major factor is the trading relationship with people employing, buying and selling goods between the communities as well.
“Many of the Hindu restaurants hire a lot of Muslims, and many of the Muslim restaurants even though they sell halal meat, hire Hindus.
“It applies to the Sikh community as well.
“The home secretary is not fully aware – she has made a blanket statement without actually understanding or knowing or acquiring knowledge from the people who live in Leicester.”
Diwali illuminations in Leicester (Pic credit: Beth Walsh Photography)
The city is famed for having the largest celebrants of Diwali outside India, as shown on Sunday.
‘Immensely humbling’
By his own admission to Eastern Eye, the Leicester South MP and shadow paymaster general, Jon Ashworth, was angry that the home secretary picked his city as a failure for multiculturalism.
“I will be welcomed to our Diwali celebrations, I'll be welcomed into a mandir for Navratri, I will be welcomed into a masjid to break the fast in Ramadan, to celebrate during Eid and of course Vaisakhi in the Gurdwara, I am welcome into our Jain temple and of course, our Christian churches and synagogues too,” the MP said.
“That is immensely humbling, and it's something which makes me so proud to be a representative of Leicester in parliament.”
Jonathan Ashworth
Leicester witnessed disturbances between Hindus and Muslims in August 2022 when community tensions spilled over.
The causes of the violence are the subject of two independent inquiries.
“We should never take unity for granted, we have seen some problems,” Ashworth continued, “but that's why it's even more important that members of parliament like myself continue to speak out and continue to do all we can, work all hours, to bring communities together.
“Something I've been focused on, for understandable reasons, in the last fortnight or so is ensuring that if there are instances of Islamophobia or anti Semitism that we are confronting that.
“I am speaking regularly to our local authorities from the city council to the police, and doing what I can to reassure my constituents.”
Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas shine light on the kind of solidarity we need to see more of in the UK, says Preet Kaur Gill
The Labour MP for Edgbaston in Birmingham, Preet Kaur Gill, added her voice to calls for peace.
“I think these celebrations are particularly poignant at a time when we are seeing so much conflict around the world,” she told Eastern Eye.
“Both celebrations are rooted in the fight for social justice, in standing up for what’s right, whether the issue affects you directly or not.
“Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas shine light on the kind of solidarity we need to see more of in the UK, and throughout the world.
“That’s what these celebrations are all about for the Sikh and Hindu communities – they’re about focussing on our shared humanity, on the thing that connects us all as people.
“What we need now is to find a path back to peace – that will be in the minds of many who are celebrating and praying for the betterment of the world as part of these festivities.”
Preet Kaur Gill (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Ranil Jayawardena, the Conservative MP for North East Hampshire said, “Diwali's message of triumph over adversity is one that people, of whatever faith, know is much needed today.
“I am sure everyone will seek to use this moment to strengthen bonds here at home, foster understanding between faiths, and promote peace around the world.”
Celebrating faiths
Lord Jitesh Gadhia told Eastern Eye that Diwali showed that different religions could unite in celebrating their faiths.
“It’s wonderful that we live in a country where, whatever your background or beliefs, we can all join British Indians in marking the spirit of Diwali, with its universal and timeless appeal,” said the peer.
Lord Jitesh Gadhia
“The Diwali message is all about right conduct, respecting each other and building strong communities.
“It offers us a moment to reflect on the epic story of the Ramayana and the examples of Lord Rama and Sita, who embodied the noble virtues of service, sacrifice and duty – values which remain more relevant today than ever.
“One of the most beautiful aspects of Diwali is the sense of charity and goodwill it embodies.
“It is a time when we share our good fortune with those less fortunate.
“These acts of kindness underscore the strength of our community bonds and our common humanity.
“At this auspicious time of year, we pray that these values shine brighter every day.
“The traditional lighting of lamps in our homes this Diwali will be even more poignant given the various conflicts around the world.
“As well as symbolising the victory of good over evil, they represent our collective hopes for a brighter and more peaceful future.”
‘Diwali is special because it is a non-sectarian, human festival’
by RADHA MOHAN DAS, Communications officer at Bhaktivedanta Manor
We live in a troubled world, writes Radha Mohan Das, communications officer at ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Manor near Watford.
Everybody values and seeks peace, but rarely is it found. Of course, as we learn from the ancient scriptures of India and other parts of the world, true peace lies within. No matter how comfortable our life may be, no matter how much money we may have, if we do not take that inward journey our minds will never be controlled and thus peace will escape us.
Most people think many conflicts and social problems of the world begin with external circumstances. We cannot blame people who think like that, and beyond a certain level that is true. But we must understand that behind every decision that is made, behind every mistake, are individual people. It begins and ends with the spiritual journey of every individual and their battle against the enemies of the soul. Lust, greed, anger and envy.
Diwali is not just a Hindu festival – it is a human festival, says Radha Mohan Das (Pic credit: Beth Walsh Photography)
We need to embrace every opportunity we can to do what is right for ourselves, our family and the world. Even if symbolically. Diwali is one of those special opportunities because it is themed around good over evil, right over wrong, light over darkness. As Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya to take his rightful place on the throne, similarly we need to leave a wide place for God to sit in our hearts.
So, when we light a diva or candle, when we visit a temple, give a gift, spend time with the family, then we can use these tools to aid our search within to benefit ourselves and ultimately the world.
Today, the UK is a highly culturally diverse country. Many people are proud of this fact and know that in the modern world it makes the country stronger in many ways. Many politicians and members of non-Indic faiths acknowledge, respect, participate and even celebrate Diwali because its message is universal, and its celebrations are beautiful. But most important of all, Diwali is clearly open to all. It is non-sectarian. It is not just a Hindu festival – it is a human festival. That is sanatan dharma.
The world needs Diwali, the world loves Diwali. Let us celebrate this marvellous festival with open hearts. Hare Krishna.
Tom Cruise had a heartfelt moment at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival when his latest film, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, received a five-minute standing ovation at its world premiere. The 62-year-old actor was visibly moved as the crowd at the Grand Théâtre Lumière cheered him on, acknowledging his 30-year run as Ethan Hunt in the blockbuster franchise.
Cruise walked the aisle surrounded by applause, joined by director Christopher McQuarrie and co-stars including Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg, Angela Bassett, Pom Klementieff, and Esai Morales. Moments later, he took the mic to thank the audience, calling the experience a dream come true. “I’ve been lucky to entertain you with this series for three decades,” he said, adding a heartfelt tribute to McQuarrie, who has directed the last four films in the series.
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The Cannes premiere was a grand affair. A 40-piece orchestra played the iconic Mission: Impossible theme as the cast walked the red carpet. Fans held up posters from Cruise’s earlier films, and some paid tribute to his Top Gun co-star Val Kilmer. Cruise, known for his genuine connection with fans, took time to sign autographs and pose for photos.
Greg Tarzan Davis, Angela Bassett, Tom Cruise, Tramell Tillman, Hannah Waddingham, Simon Pegg, Pom Klementieff, Esai Morales and Erik Jendresen at Cannes 2025Getty Images
This premiere is, in fact, Cruise’s return to Cannes after Top Gun: Maverick in 2022, which received a six-minute ovation and a jet flyover. While this time lacked such theatrics, the emotional impact was no less powerful. The actor was seen clasping his heart, overwhelmed by the audience’s love.
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The film, which picks up from 2023’s Dead Reckoning Part One, is being touted as the final chapter in the Ethan Hunt saga. Though Cruise hinted it’s a culmination of 30 years of work, he stopped short of calling it his last. “Let people watch it and decide,” he said.
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The Final Reckoning opens in India on 17 May, six days ahead of its global release, and will be available in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. Given the high production costs and moderate performance of the previous film, the stakes are high. But with Cruise’s relentless promotion across countries and a warm Cannes reception, the franchise may be gearing up for one last big win.
PETER GLOVER, a long-standing member of the Day Lewis Group, died on 10 May 2025. He was with the company for 37 years, having joined in June 1987 as a pharmacist.
He held several roles, including Group Superintendent Pharmacist, and most recently worked in a Professional Services Advisory role. He was part of the senior management team for decades.
JC Patel, Co-Founder of Day Lewis Group, said: “Peter was much loved and well-known across the pharmacy industry. His contributions to the field were significant and his legacy will be remembered by all who had the privilege of working with him. He leaves behind a lasting impact on Day Lewis and the wider pharmacy community.”
The company extended condolences to his family and friends.
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Rachel Reeves welcomed the figures, saying they 'show the strength and potential of the UK economy,' while adding that 'there is more to do'. (Photo: Getty Images)
THE UK economy grew more than expected in the first quarter of the year, according to official data published on Thursday. The figures cover the period before business tax increases and US President Donald Trump's new tariffs came into effect.
Gross domestic product rose by 0.7 per cent from January to March, following a small increase in the final quarter of last year, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.
Economists had forecast a rise of 0.6 per cent.
The data comes as a boost for prime minister Keir Starmer and the Labour government, which has faced slow growth since taking office in July.
UK chancellor Rachel Reeves welcomed the figures, saying they "show the strength and potential of the UK economy," while adding that "there is more to do".
However, analysts warned that the growth may not continue.
Thursday's data is from before the business tax hike announced in the Labour government’s first budget last October, which came into effect in April.
It also predates the baseline 10 per cent tariff that Trump imposed on the UK and other countries last month.
"This might be as good as it gets for the year," said Paul Dales, chief UK economist at Capital Economics.
‘Short lived’
The growth is "set to be short lived as tariffs take effect”, said Yael Selfin, chief economist at KPMG UK.
She said that despite the UK-US trade agreement announced last week, “tariffs on UK exports to the US remain significantly higher than what they were prior to April”.
Under the agreement, tariffs were cut on British cars and removed on steel and aluminium. In return, the UK agreed to open markets to US beef and other agricultural products.
But the 10 per cent baseline tariff remains.
Selfin added that "the indirect impact of trade tensions between the US and the EU will further constrain demand for UK exports".
ONS director of economic statistics Liz McKeown said, "The economy grew strongly in the first quarter of the year, largely driven by services, though production also grew significantly, after a period of decline."
Analysts said production growth may be due to manufacturers rushing to complete exports ahead of the US tariff changes.
Separate trade data released on Thursday showed UK goods exports to the US rose for the fourth straight month in March.
"This pattern of increasing exports could be a sign of changing trader behaviour ahead of tariff introduction," the ONS said.
"Any residual support for manufacturing from front-running will fade from here on, pointing to activity remaining weak for the foreseeable future," said economists at Pantheon Macroeconomics.
The ONS said monthly GDP grew by 0.2 per cent in March, after rising 0.5 per cent in February.
The data follows the Bank of England’s decision last week to cut its key interest rate by a quarter point to 4.25 per cent, as US tariffs begin to affect growth prospects.
The Bank raised its forecast for UK GDP growth in 2025 to 1 per cent, from an earlier estimate of 0.75 per cent, but lowered its projection for 2026 to 1.25 per cent, down from 1.5 per cent.
Earlier this week, data showed UK unemployment in the first quarter had reached its highest level since 2021.
Experience a mesmerizing evening of soul-stirring music as Roopa Panesar, one of the UK's finest sitar maestros, graces the stage at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, London, on Saturday, 17 May 2025. With her unmatched artistry and deeply emotive style, Panesar will showcase music from her acclaimed album Atma, a fusion of Indian classical ragas and contemporary jazz influences. This special performance promises to take audiences on a musical journey that bridges traditions, cultures, and emotional landscapes.
Panesar’s Atma — which means “soul” in Sanskrit — explores profound themes of inner reflection, peace, and spiritual awakening. By blending the timeless beauty of Indian classical music with the spontaneous energy of jazz, Panesar creates a captivating soundscape that is both traditional and modern, intimate and expansive. This concert will be a unique opportunity to witness the magic of these two genres coming together in perfect harmony.
Accompanied by an ensemble of talented musicians skilled in both Indian classical and jazz traditions, Panesar will deliver a performance brimming with improvisation, rhythmic complexity, and melodic beauty. Her sitar will take centre stage, weaving intricate ragas while her collaborators bring their own artistry to create a seamless, vibrant musical dialogue.
Whether you're an established fan of Indian classical music or simply looking for a transformative musical experience, this concert is not to be missed. Roopa Panesar’s performance will leave you with a lasting impression, offering a rare glimpse into the fusion of two rich and powerful musical traditions.
MISINFORMATION and disinformation are not new in the age of social media, but India’s mainstream news channels peddling them during a time of war was a new low.
Hours after India launched Operation Sindoor, most channels went into overdrive with ‘breaking news’ meant to shock, or worse, excite.
Channels beamed blurry images of the Pakistan attack on Indian territory with nearly 400 drones last Thursday (8) night, on a loop, and news tickers announced an Indian advance into enemy territory.
They claimed a Pakistani fighter pilot had been captured alive in Punjab, only to revise it a while later to say that not one, but two were in India’s custody. Minutes later came reports of an aerial attack in Islamabad, right next to the house of Pakistan’s prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, and claims that he had taken shelter in a bunker.
Before one could process why India, known for its restraint, would escalate tensions at this scale on just the second day of attack, the next salvo of misinformation was launched – the Indian Navy had ‘destroyed’ the Karachi port, accompanied by images of a ravaged facility.
The next report claimed Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir had been ousted in a coup and was being held in ‘custody’ (by whom was anybody’s guess). These ‘news’ items painted a picture of unprecedented aggression by one nuclear state against another.
Except, none of these stories were true. The defence press briefing last Friday (9) made no mention of captured pilots, an attack on Karachi port, or any development concerning Munir.
Indian fact-checkers debunked the videos of the Karachi port attack aired by some channels as footage from a 2020 BBC report from Gaza.
Last Sunday (11), clarity emerged when India’s director general of naval operations said that Indian battleships were stationed “with full readiness and capacity to strike select targets, including Karachi,” laying to rest speculation of an attack on the port. The Indian defence establishment also confirmed it had ‘downed’ Pakistani fighter jets, but made no mention of any ‘captured’ pilots.
The Indian news channels’ false reporting was called out by social media users within hours, prompting many to backtrack and apologise. A few also faced criticism for their warmongering – one ‘expert’ on a channel declared mazaa (fun) would begin when Pakistan attacks India.
Another example of the channels’ insensitivity was the use of AI-generated images and graphics – one depicting an enraged Indian prime minister Narendra Modi trampling a cowering Sharif – which trivialised the conflict and framed it as little more than a high-stakes cricket match between the two nations.
Some Indian media houses reported that similar fake news was being broadcast by Pakistani outlets. However, for someone in India, where I live, it has become nearly impossible to verify what the media is reporting on the other side of the border, as the government has banned access to Pakistani news channels, including Dawn and Geo News.
Several Indian news websites, including The Wire – co-founded by a former editor of The Hindu – also faced bans (in this case, the restriction was lifted a day later).
Amid all this, the mainstream print media, both in English and regional languages, has remained largely responsible and sober, refraining from whipping up passions. Many news websites have done the same.
If the ceasefire doesn’t hold, this could become the first major war that Indians witness in the age of private news channels and social media. Whether the screens will make the proverbial fog of war even thicker remains to be seen.