Sacred Hindu text presented to the House of Commons
24 May 2024
A new Bhagavad Gita – one of the most sacred Hindu texts – was presented to the Speaker of the House of Commons for the swearing in of Hindu MPs.
Shailesh Vara MP gave the religious scripture to Sir Lindsay Hoyle and said he hoped it would be used after the 2024 General Election.
The Speaker said he was ‘honoured’ to receive the Gita, which was blessed at the Mayapur Temple in India.
MPs are required to make a solemn affirmation or swear an oath of allegiance to the Crown before taking their seats in Parliament – this is called swearing in.
The House of Commons Library holds several religious books for reference and the swearing in MPs.