Hosted by the Prime Minister’s Office in partnership with the Institute of Jainology
London, 23rd April 2025 – In a remarkable celebration of spiritual heritage and shared values, 10 Downing Street opened its doors to commemorate Mahavir Jayanti, marking the birth of Bhagwan Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. The reception was hosted by the Prime Minister’s Office, in partnership with the Institute of Jainology (IOJ), and brought together a distinguished gathering of Jain community leaders and supporters from across the United Kingdom.
The evening reflected the profound relevance of Lord Mahavir’s timeless message – of non-violence, compassion, self-discipline, and universal harmony – particularly in today’s increasingly complex and interconnected world.
Representing the Prime Minister, the event was attended by Lord Khan of Burnley, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Lords Minister for Faith, Communities and Resettlement), alongside Gareth Thomas MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Services, Small Business and Exports).
The programme began with a welcome address from Dr Mehool Sanghrajka, Managing Trustee of the IOJ, who invited the ministers to join him in lighting a ceremonial lamp, symbolising spiritual light and awakening.
In his remarks, Dr Sanghrajka paid tribute to Pope Francis, who passed away earlier in the week, recalling the honour of meeting him during an interfaith conference at the Vatican last year, where a global delegation of Jain leaders had been invited to share their perspectives. Dr Sanghrajka spoke movingly of Lord Mahavir’s teachings as a guide for navigating the world’s environmental, social, and ethical challenges. He expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister’s Office and IOJ colleagues for bringing the event to fruition.
Lord Khan also honoured Pope Francis, whom he had met personally, and praised the values at the heart of Jain philosophy. He reflected warmly on his recent visit to the Oshwal Centre, describing the Derasar and its surroundings as “a place of beauty, serenity and welcome”. He commended the IOJ’s campaign for greater recognition of Jainism in national life, including a Jain tick-box in the census, and expressed his support for the continuing effort. In a gesture of encouragement, he said he looked forward to the day a Jain MP would take their seat in Parliament.
Gareth Thomas MP spoke of Mahavir’s enduring message as a moral compass for modern times. He recognised the Jain community’s contributions to British society – in commerce, charity, animal welfare, and environmental advocacy – and applauded the IOJ’s leadership in establishing the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Jainism, which has helped raise the community’s profile nationally. He also shared his involvement in a project to support Gujarati language education, and welcomed continued progress in building UK–India business ties, including the ongoing UK–India trade agreement discussions.
The formal part of the evening concluded with the heartfelt recitation of the Navkar Mantra and Manglik, with voices rising in unison to echo spiritual harmony through the historic halls of Number 10.
Guests then had the opportunity to connect and reflect over light refreshments, strengthening relationships across communities and sectors. The event underlined the shared values between the Jain community and wider British society, the UK Government’s openness to minority voices, and a collective commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The event closed with a vote of thanks from Dr Sanghrajka to all those who had helped make the evening a meaningful and memorable occasion.
