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In the video, Sadiq Khan shares his good wishes for the festival and talks about how Diwali is celebrated enthusiastically in the UK.
A Diwali greeting video featuring London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan has irked a section of social media users in the UK. The clip was shared on Instagram by Akshay and Deepali, Indian-origin content creators settled in London. In the video, Khan is seen sharing his good wishes for the festival.
“This is how we celebrate Diwali in London,” says Khan as a montage of celebrations from previous years is played in the background, perfectly depicting Indian traditions while dancing and singing. “From my family to yours, Happy Diwali,” Khan says at the end of the video.
“27 October 2024 – Are you Joining for the biggest Diwali Festival at Trafalgar Square?” read the caption posted along the video.
An official statement about the event to mark Diwali celebrations reads, “The Diwali in London (DiL) committee, in partnership with the Mayor Of London, brings Diwali On Trafalgar Square (DOTS) to London. DiL comprises several diverse member organisations with representatives from a cross-section of multicultural communities of India who work together in harmony to ensure the seamless running of DOTS.”
While most of the users on Instagram expressed excitement about the event, the announcement did not go down well with a section of local people. Dropping comments to the video, they blasted the London Mayor for the grand celebration.
A user questioned, “Will you put as much effort into Christmas for Christians?” “What about Christian for the last few thousand years Christianity has been the religion which is an integral part of British culture, no celebration for Christians eh?” questioned another.
A user remarked, “These things happen when you allow scammers into the country.” Echoing the same sentiment, a few also joined saying, “Just make sure you never celebrate anything British, because that’s racist,” and “Go back to India.”
Diwali will be celebrated in India on October 31. In some parts of the country, the festival will also be celebrated on November 1.