Outside 10 Downing Street, a long queue of men and women dressed in traditional attire gathered with excitement as they waited to enter the Prime Minister’s residence for the annual Vaisakhi celebration.
The event brought together Sikh leaders and community members from across the country. No. 10 was beautifully decorated with yellow and orange flowers, ribbons and candles, creating a vibrant and elegant setting for the occasion. Praising the decoration even Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, “I must say it's been really good to see the decorations as you come in. I hope you've enjoyed them. They look... vibrant colours, a really fantastic set up. It's not like that all the time. But it should be like that all the time. I'm loving for that to be left in because it really lifts the place.”
Vaisakhi is one of the most significant festivals in the Sikh calendar, marking the founding of the Khalsa in 1699 by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and symbolising the birth of Sikh identity.
Some key guests at the reception included Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office- Seema Malhotra MP, Sonia Kumar MP, Tan Dhesi MP, Baggy Shanker MP, Valerie Vaz MP, Lord Uday Nagaraju, Navjyot Sawhney, Jasvir Singh CBE, Param Singh MBE, Kamal Preet Kaur, Ramanjeet Singh Arora, Amritpal Singh Mann OBE and Natasha Mudhar to name a few.
Vegetarian canapés such as samosas and bhajiyas by Punjab restaurant and non-alcoholic beverage like lassi were served to guests.
A Kirtan in praise of Wahe Guru was performed by the young students of Khalsa Jatha Gurdwara in Shepherd’s Bush, with participation from guests attending the reception.
MP Sonia Kumar was also seen recording a video message on Vaisakhi outside the iconic No 10 door.
“Faith teaches us Seva”
Welcoming more than 100 guests, Satvir Kaur MP, Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office, spoke about the importance of faith, service and representation. She said, “I stand here proud Member of Parliament for Southampton Test, and I'm also very honoured to serve as a Minister within the Cabinet Office. As my brilliant dad and I were coming up here across the road, I was stopped and told apparently, I'm the first Sikh Minister in about 17, 18 years. Which is wild and incredible. But actually, we're really lucky coming into Parliament now because in this government, we have a record number of Sikh MPs, and I'm lucky to work alongside these incredible colleagues. Tan, Preet, Jas, Harpreet, Kirith, Baggy, Warinder, Gurinder, Sonia, and Jeevun, and newly elected Lords in our Sikh group. All of whom work tirelessly and make our community proud every single day.
She added, “Vaisakhi will always be a special time for me personally because, while many can't pinpoint the exact moment they got involved in politics, for me, it was actually when I was volunteering at a local langar that I bumped into my local MP back then, and he convinced me to get involved, and I've never looked back since. For me, Sikh values are intrinsically linked to Labour values of family and community. Choosing love over hate, unity over division, protecting the most vulnerable, and the most prominent of all is the Sikh principle of Seva, to serve. It's this belief in service that I got from my faith that drives me and my politics. It is something that I know I share with many in this room today. You are here because you practice your faith and you give up your time in the service of others. We have Sikhs keeping us safe serving in our military, Sikhs teaching our children, Sikhs caring for our elderly, saving lives in our NHS, Sikh charities feeding the homeless, Sikh businessmen and women creating jobs and opportunities for our young people.
“At a time when there is so much conflict around the world and people are determined to sow division within our communities, Sikhs, you are practicing love over hate, and unity over division. Being there for others in times of need, doing their part to make our communities and the world a better place. Driven by a belief that a better future is possible for ourselves, for our families, for our communities, and playing our part to make that a reality because our faith teaches us that being in the service of others, Seva, is the most rewarding thing we can do. It is also an anchor in this government, and particularly for the Prime Minister who I am proud to introduce this evening.
“Thank you, Prime Minister, for inviting us all here today, bringing us all together, valuing and celebrating this huge contribution that Sikhs make to our proud, vibrant, modern, and very forward-looking country…”
Challenging anti-Sikh hatred
Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised Satvir’s leadership, particularly in balancing public service with new motherhood. He warmly welcomed guests to Downing Street, describing it as a powerful statement to host the Sikh community at the heart of government.
“…It is a time of deep spiritual significance that we come together around things that Satvir just announced. Because it is a time for all of us, I think of all faiths and none frankly, to reflect on the remarkable contribution that Sikh communities have made and continue to make across the country. As Satvir said, whether it's public services, whether it's business, whether it's culture, whether it's giving and being a big part of communities, that contribution is immense.
“And I think it's really important to have a time where we get together and just reflect on that. Not take it for granted, hold it up to the light and reflect on it. And we see that contribution reflected in the room here this evening as I look around. By leaders across the Sikh community that we have here. And I'm very proud of my colleagues, all 11 of our Sikh Labour MPs now sitting in Parliament. Isn't that a fantastic achievement over so many years? And I remember all those discussions with people in this room and beyond this room saying there is a huge contribution the Sikh community makes. But where is the representation? Why are there fewer people? And so, to have 11 now is so important. And of course, Mandip Singh, a trustee of Britain’s oldest Sikh temple, the Khalsa Jatha Gudwara…”
The Prime Minister then reflected on the deep spiritual significance of Vaisakhi and the immense contribution Sikh communities have made to British life for over 170 years. He noted their role in public services, business, culture and charitable work, describing Sikh values of selflessness and service as among the very best of British values. Highlighting historical contributions, he referenced Sikh soldiers who fought and gave their lives in conflicts such as the Battle of the Somme, as well as the legacy of Princess Sophia Duleep Singh.
He said, “For over 170 years, Sikhs and people of Sikh heritage have played a vital role in British life. This is nothing new. This has been going on a very long time. As you may know, just up the road at Kensington Palace, an exhibition has opened honouring Princess Sophia Duleep Singh and her tireless work as a suffragette, as one of the key women fighting for the rights to the vote in the United Kingdom.
“So isn't that brilliant that that exhibition has now opened and that can be remembered and celebrated for what was a really significant change, and a desperately needed change, in parliamentary democracy in this country. A huge contribution again to the lives of all of us. She actually regularly attended, by the way, the same Gurdwara that tonight's wonderful Kirtan musicians and singers are from…”
He emphasised that Sikh history is inseparable from British history, stating that Sikh communities are not an addition to the national story, but an integral part of it. The Prime Minister said, “For almost two centuries therefore, British Sikhs have changed the country for the better. And let's remember what that meant for some of them. Those that gave their lives in the battle of the Somme 100 years ago. An incredibly ultimate contribution to freedom, the values that we hold dear into our country.
“Those who serve pre-school meals to the hopeless, who work in kitchens. And that spirit of giving, which I think comes through everything that we do. The instinct to give to communities, to support communities.
“And on a faith and no-faith basis, because it's always done without regard to the faith that people really need, the help that's given to the community as a whole. I've been incredibly bowled over and humbled by that approach. Because it's underpinned by selflessness and a genuine sense of service to communities. And they are not just the best of Sikh values, I genuinely think they are the best of British values too.”
At a time when division in the country is often amplified, he stressed the importance of standing together to challenge hatred and injustice. The Prime Minister acknowledged the rise in anti-Sikh hatred and firmly condemned it, calling for collective action to confront those who seek to divide communities. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to being a government of service and unity.
He added, “I think we succumb too often to the argument that we're a divided country, that we don't really care about each other. I think that's complete nonsense. I think that's complete wrong. I genuinely think the Sikh community, the British community, give them half a chance and they will try to look after each other. And they will enjoy the act of service and giving and looking after their communities. And so, it's not a coincidence, but a reflection of our shared history. And this is such an important point, Sikh history is British history. They don't sit somehow outside it, a luxurious addition. It is our British history. It is who we are as a country. And when people try to tear us apart, we need to reassert that over and over again. This is what it is to be British. This inclusive way that we operate is exactly the values that we espouse. It's not a collection where we add together different communities. Actually, this is it. This is being British. We're proud of it.
“And we do it pretty well, actually, when we allow ourselves the space to do it. And when we fight those that try to divide us. I'm really proud to celebrate with you tonight. It's truly an honour to host this event. But it is about celebration, of course it is. But it's also stepping up against injustice and oppression as well. Because there's no getting around it. While we share a vision of Britain standing firmly together, there are voices in our communities, in our politics, that seek to divide us. And they will use any opportunity to do so. Whether it's a conflict somewhere else in the world, whether it's something going on in this country. Any opportunity. And we have to stand up together in relation to that.
“And it's sad that I have to stand here and say, anti-Sikh-hatred has risen. I don't want to say those words. But that is true. And there has to be a concerted attempt to turn the anxiety of an uncertain world into something better. And not let those that want to make it even darker and those that want to use it to divide, to win. So, we must stand together on that. We stand firmly against anti-Sikh-hatred in all its forms. And we must act on that as well. I want to be able to stand here at future events with you and say anti-Sikh-hatred has gone down and gone down, where it doesn't become even an issue. But until that point comes, we must fight together and challenge the voices that are peddling this division and toxic separation and hold them accountable. Because the values that we're here to celebrate, service, sacrifice and respect, they are the values that should underpin everything that we do.”
Closing the event, the Prime Minister thanked Sikh communities across the country for their ongoing contributions and wished everyone a happy Vaisakhi.
“On the first day after the election Saturday, I stood out in front of Downing Street and said we will be a government of service. That reflects the value that we are celebrating here this evening. And I think that they are the values that will help us emerge from a turbulent time, stronger actually and more united. And it is turbulent. I don't know a period in my life where there's been so much conflict and uncertainty across the world. We need our values and our principles to guide us through the decisions that we must make in relation to those conflicts. But also, to use it to bring us together. So, thank you for being here. Thank you for the opportunity that you have contributed.
“And can I through you thank all of your communities? So please, to use you in the sense of please take these messages back. Please share them with others in your communities so that the sense in which this government is recognising and thanking you and them for the contribution goes as far as it possibly can tonight. Not just in this room. It's an honour to share this occasion with you…Happy Vaisakhi to you and to Sikhs all around the world…”
