On Thursday 9th September, the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for British Hindus, led by its Chair, Bob Blackman MP (Harrow East), organised a Raksha Bandhan celebration at the British Parliament.
The event was attended by members of the Hindu community, as well as activists, Councillors and Parliamentary, who took the opportunity to utilise the Raksha Bandhan celebration to educate the public about their duty and responsibility in campaigning for important issues that affect them.
Many dignitaries attended this event, including the Deputy High Commissioner of India, Dr Virendra Paul; Virendra Sharma MP; Rt Hon Shailesh Vara MP; and Gavin Barwell MP.
While welcoming the guests who attended the event, Bob Blackman said, “The APPG was set up to support and promote the interests of British Hindus to Parliament; to encourage political parties in the UK to actively engage with the British Hindu community to ensure proper Hindu representation at all levels of politics; to consider related international issues on behalf of British Hindus; to press for more government engagement with the Hindu community; to highlight and acknowledge the exception and significant contribution of the British Hindu community in all walks of life.”
Blackman also encouraged people to raise issues which they are concerned about with their local MPs. He said, “The most effective way of building awareness in the parliament is for individuals to engage with their local MPs. Another way of using the APPG for British Hindus is to urge your local MPs to join it.”
Traditionally, in the festival of Raksha Bandhan, a sister would tie a decorated thread (rakhi) around her brother's wrist. However, at the Raksha Bandhan celebration at the parliament, not only did women tie a rakhi around the men attendees, the men also reciprocated by tying a rakhi around women's wrists, showing their support and signifying equality.
A community activist, Manju Khajuria, quoted the Vedas to explain the purpose of Raksha Bandhan. “Yatra naryestu pujyante ramante tatra devtaah – there is divinity where women are respected. A society which does not respect its women is spiralling towards its end. A festival with such a powerful message should not be restricted to our respective families but must become a social and global phenomenon.”
