Rishi Sunak's red bracelet on wrist and why Prime Minister wears it explained
Rishi Sunak is giving evidence at the Covid Inquiry where he is being asked about his time as Chancellor, including his controversial Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
But some eagle-eyed TV viewers are asking questions about the bracelet on his wrist. If you look carefully you can see the item made from red thread.
Mr Sunak is the first Hindu Prime Minister that the country has had.
He took over in Downing Street last October after Liz Truss was forced to stand after she crashed the economy.
Why does Rishi Sunak wear a red bracelet on his wrist?
The Conservative leader wears a red string bracelet every day as a mark of his Hindu faith. Mr Sunak has been open about being a “proud” Hindu believer and about how he prays with his family and tries to attend temple regularly. He reportedly refrains from eating beef, with the cow seen as sacred in Hinduism.
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The bracelet he wears on his right hand is a daily reminder of the religion he follows. As well as being spotted with the red bracelet in Downing Street, Mr Sunak — who became PM after being crowned Tory leader by his MPs on Monday — also wore it when he met King Charles at Buckingham Palace, where he was invited to form a new government.
What does the red string bracelet mean?
The bracelet is known as a kautuka or kalava. It is regarded as a symbol of good luck, protection and symbolises an allegiance to Hinduism. It is also a unifying feature among believers, helping them to feel solidarity with one another.
The thread is traditionally worn on the right wrist or arm of men, symbolising the god Vishnu, and on the left by women, for the goddess Lakshmi. They are sometimes given out by Hindu priests, but they can also be exchanged between family and friends.
The colour red is significant in the Hindu faith. It symbolises purity and, due to being the colour that the goddess Shakti is associated with, also prowess. Other Hindu deities depicted wearing red often represent bravery, generosity or security.
Mr Sunak is not the first prime minister to wear the kalava publicly. Sir Tony Blair, PM for 10 years between 1997 and 2007, wore the sacred string bracelet in the House of Commons in 2006. A spokeswoman for the government at the time confirmed the wristband was a gift presented to the former Labour leader when he visited a Hindu temple in Neasden, north London.
What other bracelets does Rishi Sunak wear?
Away from his religious bracelet, Mr Sunak is not averse to wearing bands around his wrist. As chancellor in 2021, he was spotted wearing a “Love DADA” charm bracelet as he held aloft the famous red box containing his spending plans in Downing Street. The bracelet was made for him by his daughters, Krishna and Anoushka.
The DADA bracelet made a reappearance while he was on the leadership campaign trail in a contest that he lost to Liz Truss — now officially Britain's shortest-serving prime minister. His children and wife Akshata Murthy — the daughter of wealthy Indian businessman Narayana Murthy — joined him for some debates against his rival while he was on the road during the summer.
The former investment banker has also been known to wear black-beaded friendships bangles as well. His penchant for bracelets has won the new PM fans among style critics, including at men's fashion magazine GQ. Designer Oliver Spencer told the publication in 2020: "I like the fact that you can see a number of bracelets popping out of his shirt sleeve – it shows you that there's more to him than the political veneer would have you know."
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