After several turbulent months in British politics, Britain has another new Prime Minister; Rishi Sunak replacing the country's shortest-serving leader of all-time, Liz Truss. Sunak said, in a short speech, that it was the “greatest privilege” of his life to “serve the party I love and give back to the country I owe so much to.”

The new Prime Minister was born in 1980 in Southampton to parents of Punjabi descent. His grandparents were born in India and emigrated to the UK from West Africa in the 1960s.

Public expression of faith

Sunak is the youngest Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in well over two centuries. He’s also the first PM to practise a non-Christian religion, and the first ever Hindu prime minister of the UK. It’s over 140 years since a politician from an ethnic minority was in 10 Downing Street; this was Benjamin Disraeli, born of Jewish parents (though even he received a Christian baptism).

Sunak says his ethnicity is Indian, both religiously and culturally, and he proclaims his Hindu identity with pride. He rarely speaks about his faith in public, but he doesn't shy away from showing it. When he was appointed Finance minister, he took an oath by placing his hands on the Bhagavad Gita, one of Hinduism’s most sacred texts. 

He rarely speaks about his faith in public, but nor does he shy away from showing it.

Coincidentally, Sunak was elected as prime minister on Diwali, a festival of lights enjoyed by millions of Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains worldwide. Two years ago, when he was Chancellor, Sunak lit ceremonial diyas to mark Diwali on the doorstep of 11 Downing Street. This past Wednesday, he celebrated Diwali at a 'brilliant' reception at No10. (Occurring on his first day in office, one can't help feeling Sunak should have restrained himself, his actions being at least insensitive, if not offensive.) It is also reported that Sunak keeps an idol of Lord Ganesh on his table.

Rishi Sunak and his Hindu wife recently performed ‘Gau Pooja’ in London, a ceremony to show appreciation and reverence for the cow. The cow is seen as sacred by Hindu believers, cherished for its benevolence and generosity, and as a bringer of wealth (and Sunak and his wife have plenty of that). As such, it is rare for any Hindu to eat beef. Sunak has made appeals to give up eating beef, and he never eats it himself.

The Hindu faith

With its roots in India, Hinduism is the world’s third largest religion, with more than one billion followers. Hindus believe in reincarnation of the soul, along with karma — the idea of cause and effect in the universe (eg, good things happen to people who do good deeds). There is one supreme being in Hinduism, called Brahman, and although the religion is polytheistic, with a myriad of gods; the many deities are sometimes said to represent different aspects of Brahman.

While most people think that Hinduism is a religion of peace, the Bhagavad Gita is actually about war. Hinduism is therefore not a pacifist religion.

While most people think that Hinduism is a religion of peace, the Bhagavad Gita is actually about war. Hinduism is therefore not a pacifist religion; war is considered right when it is engaged in for a just cause. 

The discriminatory caste system overtly highlights Hinduism’s darker side, enslaving, as it does, millions of people. While such discrimination is now illegal, it is still widely practiced. The Dalits, also known as the 'untouchables', are the lowest of the low, and are regularly unable to work in particular jobs or interact with other castes because of their status.

While animals occupy an important place in Hinduism, and life in all forms is honored and revered, most Hindus believe that animals are inferior to human beings.

Policy decisions

It’s difficult to predict what influence Hinduism will have on Sunak’s policy decisions as Prime Minister, partly because Hinduism is seen as remarkably permissive. The religion has no founder or prophet, no prescriptive tenets and no divine revelation, no revealed word of God, in great contrast to Christianity, Judaism or Islam.

Because there is no dogma, there is no such thing as heretical thought. The result is a pick’n’mix religion with thousands of gods and which allows followers to live as they feel appropriate, within the overarching concept of dharma (duty), an important code which helps people to live morally.

Serving ‘other gods’

Many Christians are deeply concerned about the spiritual impact of having an idol-worshipping Prime Minister in No. 10 (and another in the Home Office; re-appointed Home Secretary, Suella Braverman is a Buddhist; taking her oath of office as an MP on the book of Buddhist scripture Dhammapada). It indeed involves breaking two of the ten commandments in the seat of government. (Ex 20:3-4), and some will see Rishi’s Gau Pooja rituals as reminiscent of the Hebrews' golden calf worship (Ex 32).

It indeed is breaking two of the ten commandments in the seat of government, and some will see Rishi’s Gau Pooja rituals as reminiscent of the Hebrew’s golden calf worship.

To many Christians the situation is far from ideal, and strong evidence that Britain is under judgement. Others would query whether having a Hindu PM is really any worse than a hedonistic, adulterous PM who admitted it would be ‘pretentious’ to refer to him as a serious Christian (Boris Johnson). Or than a somewhat agnostic PM who compared his faith to "the dodgy radio reception of Magic FM in the Chilterns" – i.e., it comes and goes (David Cameron). Or even than the current most likely alternative, should a general election be held, of an atheist PM (Keir Starmer).

In other words, is one who practises a faith other than Christianity all that different from one who has no personal faith at all? Aren’t both, ultimately, serving ‘other gods’? (Ex 20:3, Josh 24:15). 

We live in days where Christianity is no longer the default religion of our nation. There will be many who celebrate the fact that diversity of religion and ethnic background are no longer a barrier to the highest offices in the land, where, rather, merit and ability are noted as determining factors.

Is one who practises a faith other than Christianity all that different from one who has no personal faith at all?

Respecting our Judeo-Christian tradition

At the same time, however much we have lapsed or are lax in our Christianity, the Judeo-Christian tradition is what underlies this country's history of democracy, rule of law and everything we (used to perhaps) count as civilised in the Western world.

Will Mr Sunak pay even lip service to the religion that still the majority of the people in this country regard themselves as belonging to or profess - some 60% (compared with 1.5% Hindus)?

We need to see him make some public effort to understand and respect the Judeo-Christian tradition of the country he and his parents chose to make their home – of its ethics and moral code, as well as, indeed, of the Church of England, the established Church of the nation.

Challenging days ahead

Whatever one’s thoughts about Rishi’s personal faith, the new Prime Minister clearly has his work cut out for him. All eyes will be on him and his government in the days that lie ahead. 

Let us remember to pray for them as politicians in authority over us, just as the early Christians living under Roman pagan rule were instructed to do (1 Tim 2:1-2). This can, of course, include prayers for Jesus Christ to reveal Himself to our new Prime Minister, along with members of his cabinet.