It's making of history in Diwali season: Rishi Sunak first 'proud Hindu' and Asian-origin to be UK Prime Minister

Sickularism may not be pleased, but reality is bitter nevertheless !!

Rishi Sunak is the first Hindu to become British prime minister, securing the position on Diwali, the festival of lights that marks one of the most important days of the Hindu calendar. 

"Sunak himself made history in 2020 when he lit Diwali candles outside 11 Downing Street, the official residence of the UK chancellor," says a CNN report. 

"I can proudly say that I am a Hindu and being a Hindu is my identity," he has said in a media interview.

Aptly, he said, his faith/Hinduism "gives me strength, it gives me purpose. It's part of who I am." 

The historical context of the first Hindu becoming Britain PM was not lost on those who responded to the news on social media and on India’s television news.

The circa 2022 when the South Asian nation has been marking 75 years of Independence from British colonial rule, a British Hindu leader will become UK Prime Minister. 

Rishi Sunak is said to be the richest man in the House of Commons, while reports claim that his wife Akshata is wealthier than British Queen Elizabeth II with assets worth £430 million. 

“The United Kingdom is a great country, but there is no doubt we face a profound economic challenge,” said Rishi Sunak, 42.

“We need stability and unity, and I will make it my utmost priority to bring our party and our country together," he pledged.  

The world has truly turned a global village. 

CNN headline screamed: 'Rishi Sunak: The super-rich former banker who will be the first person of color to lead Britain'  

He is also the youngest person to take the office in more than 200 years. He was the last person standing after his rivals – Boris Johnson and the Leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt – fell by the wayside.

Speaking after being declared the new Conservative leader, Sunak said he was “honored and humbled” to become the next prime minister. 

Just seven short weeks ago, it looked as if it might be all over for Rishi Sunak.

But in a sign of just how unpredictable British politics has become, Sunak has returned triumphant from the political wilderness to replace Truss, whose premiership imploded last week. 

Rishi Sunak has attracted massive attention in the past for his personal wealth. This year, the 'Sunday Times Rich list' valued the joint fortune of Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty at £730m and ranked them 222 on the UK's wealthiest 250 people list. 

The Sunak and Murty own four homes, i.e. two in London, one in Yorkshire and one in LA.

The five-bedroom house in Kensington is said to be worth £7m alone. The four storeys house also has a private garden. There is another home in London's Old Brompton Road, apparently where the extended family stays when they visit. 

Sunder Katwala of the British Future think tank told 'The Guardian', it was "an historic moment" that "simply would not have been possible even a decade or two ago."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a tweet said, "Warmest congratulations @RishiSunak ! As you become UK PM, I look forward to working closely together on global issues, and implementing Roadmap 2030."

In his congratulatory message, Modi also wrote - "Special Diwali wishes to the ‘living bridge’ of UK Indians, as we transform our historic ties into a modern partnership". 

It may be mentioned that adopted in 2021 during the stint of Boris Johnson as the UK PM, the 'Roadmap 2030' is a framework aimed at strengthening UK-India relations across many sectors including climate, trade, defence, health, science and technology and education.

Rishi Sunak as British PM, now will Mehbooba Mufti allow 'Hindu CM' in J&K

New Delhi 

Mehbooba Mufti has turned neo-liberal, or rather a radical-liberal.

She wants a 'minority' Prime Minister of India just as Britain has elevated an ethnic minority and a man of Indian origin - Rishi Sunak.

Worse, for the 'sickular' school of Indian politics - Rishi is Hindu !! 

BJP's IT department head Amit Malviya said India has had three Muslim and one Sikh president besides a Sikh prime minister for 10 years and minorities in top judicial positions and the armed forces. 

"It need not learn about diversity and inclusivity from any other country. But Mehbooba must walk the talk and back a Hindu for J&K's CM," he said.

PDP president and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti said it was a proud moment that Indian-origin Sunak was elected as the UK's prime minister but it should also serve as a reminder that Britain has accepted an ethnic minority member as its premier.

However, she said, "we are still shackled by divisive and discriminatory laws like NRC and CAA." 

Congress leaders P Chidambaram and Shashi Tharoor welcomed the development in the UK and hoped one day this practice is adopted here in India.  

Tharoor, who recently lost to Mallikarjun Kharge said, "If this does happen, I think all of us will have to acknowledge that the Brits have done something very rare in the world, to place a member of a visible minority in the most powerful office. As we Indians celebrate the ascent of @RishiSunak, let's honestly ask: can it happen here."

Chidambaram tweeted: "First Kamala Harris, now Rishi Sunak. The people of the US and the UK have embraced the non-majority citizens of their countries and elected them to high office in government". 

"I think there is a lesson to be learned by India and the parties that practice majoritarianism," he wrote.

Former law minister and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad also lashed out at opposition leaders.

"Some leaders have become hyper active against majoritarianism after election of Rishi Sunak as PM of UK. Gently reminding them about the extraordinary Presidency of APJ Abdul Kalam, Manmohan Singh as PM for 10 years. A distinguished tribal leader Droupadi Murmu is now our President," he said. 

Prasad said a competent leader of Indian origin Sunak becoming the UK's prime minister needs to be complimented by them all on this extraordinary success. 

"It is tragic that some Indian politicians are unfortunately trying to make a political brownie point on this occasion," he said.

"Can't differentiate between Italy-born Sonia (who refused to take Indian citizenship for several decades after marriage with Rajiv) and UK-born Rishi with Indian ancestry," BJP's foreign affairs department head Vijay Chauthaiwale said responding to a Twitter user.

ends