London

The festival of ‘Raksha Bandhan’ has been celebrated at the British Parliament, with political leaders and diplomats attending the event organised by a group that promotes the interests of British Hindus.

India’s Deputy High Commissioner Virendra Paul; MP Virendra Sharma, MP Shailesh Vara, MP Gavin Barwell, members of the community, councillors and several lawmakers attended the event hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for British Hindus led by its Chair MP Bob Blackman.

“The APPG is playing an active role in lobbying for repealing the caste discrimination legislation that has angered the Hindu, Sikh and Jain community across the?board,” said Blackman.

He also stated that an Early Day Motion on Human Rights violations in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir has been tabled by him in the House of Commons.

The motion?not only condemned the acts of human rights violations in the region but also called on India to demand from Pakistan to not only put an end to the increasing cross border terrorism but also to revert to the original pre-October 1947 border.

Delivering the keynote address, Dhruv Chhatralia, a lawyer and?Hindu scholar,?spoke about the festival and its symbolism as reflected in the teachings of the Gita.

“The festival of Raksha Bandhan reminds us of our duty not only to protect our loved ones but also to protect that which unites us,” he said.

The celebration ended with an exchange of ‘Rakhis’.

PTI