This Video Does Not Show Rishi Sunak Performing Religious Rituals Before Entering His Office

27th October 2022

This Video Does Not Show Rishi Sunak Performing Religious Rituals Before Entering His Office

The video dates back to 2020 (Twitter)

The Claim

This video shows Prime Minister Rishi Sunak performing religious rituals before entering his office at 10 Downing Street.

News posted on

Emerging story

A video purporting to show Prime Minister Rishi Sunak performing religious rituals before entering his office has recently gone viral.

When Hinduism goes Global

🛕 The UK PM @RishiSunak performing his spiritual/traditional rituals before entering his new office.

🛕 He is already teaching Hindus across the world to hold on to Hindu roots. @khushsundar @SidBakaria @ActorMadhavan pic.twitter.com/5FDFxn5DQJ
— Ravi Karkara (@ravikarkara) October 27, 2022

A supporting image within the article body

Misbar’s Analysis

Misbar investigated the viral claim and found it to be misleading. The video dates back to 2020.

Rishi Sunak’s 2020 Diwali Celebrations

Upon conducting a reverse image search, Misbar’s team found that the video had been posted by Rishi Sunak. The original video shows Sunak celebrating Diwali back in 2020, as can be seen below.

I’ve placed our rangoli outside No.11, the mithai are set to be delivered and the family Zoom is booked in.

I know things will feel a bit different, and it’s hard not to be able to see family, but we will get through this together.

Happy Diwali everyone! pic.twitter.com/4lDI8bH1HJ
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) November 14, 2020

What is Diwali?

Diwali is one of the major religious festivals in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism. The celebrations last for five days from the 13th day of the lunar month “Ashvina” to the second day of the lunar month “Karttika.” The festival symbolizes the victory of light over darkness.