Mr Sunak shared a personal anecdote and spoke out about racist comments made by campaigners.
A while back, Rishi Sunak delivered a speech at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, also known as Neasden Temple, a traditional Hindu temple in London.
Rishi Sunak, who is Hindu, told the audience: “Like all of you, I draw inspiration and comfort from my faith.”
“I am proud to take oath as a Member of Parliament on the Bhagavad Gita. [one of Hinduism’s most prominent sacred texts].
“Our faith teaches us to do our duty and not to worry about the consequences as long as we perform our duty faithfully.”
“My family has also strengthened my commitment to serve,” the Prime Minister said.
He spoke about his mother-in-law’s charity work in India and praised his wife as “the best support any husband could have” and someone who “lives a life of service.”
“Firstly, I want to thank you all for your support, prayers and love – you have all been there for me all this time,” Sunak told those attending.
“Throughout the most difficult days of this job, I have felt your support and I know the pride it takes to have a British Asian Prime Minister. I am determined never to let you down.”
The prime minister argued that most Indians are conservative because “our values ​​unite us”, citing education, hard work and family.
“One of the most memorable occasions in recent years was Diwali, 60 years after I became Prime Minister,” Mr Sunak said. [grandmother] She boarded a plane in East Africa, alone for the first time in her life, coming to start a new life for her family in this country.
“Sixty years after that moment, her great-grandchildren, my daughters, were playing in the street outside our house.”
They were “having fun like so many other families over Diwali, except the street they were playing in was Downing Street.”
Referring to the racist slurs used against him by Reform UK activists, he said: “The events of the past few days should not cause us to forget that the UK is the most successful multi-ethnic, multi-religious democracy in the world, and we should all be heartened by that.”
Finally, the Prime Minister said, “I would like to thank you all for your support. I hope that I can make you all proud of me every day.”
