The Institute of Jainology is delighted to note the appointment of Shama Tatler to the House of Lords, marking the first time a Jain has entered the UK Parliament. Her appointment is a moment of great pride for the Jain community across Britain and beyond.
In a statement following the announcement, Shama expressed that it was “an extraordinary honour and a profound privilege” to be invited by the Prime Minister to join the House of Lords as a Labour Peer. She reflected on her long career in public service, first as a teacher, and later as a councillor in Brent, and spoke of her commitment to fairness, inclusion, and opportunity for all. She also shared her pride in being the first Jain to serve in Parliament, noting that the Jain values of compassion, service, and non-violence have guided her throughout her life.
She expressed her sense of responsibility: “I look forward to bringing my experience to the House of Lords and supporting the government as it delivers Labour’s agenda for a fairer, more inclusive society.”
Baroness Shama Tatler
“I am honoured to be the first Jain to serve in the UK Parliament — a moment of great pride for me, my family, and the wider Jain community, whose values of compassion, service and non-violence have guided me throughout my life.”
A Step Towards Greater Representation
The OneJAIN manifesto, developed through collaboration among UK Jain organisations, expressed the hope that members of the Jain community would one day be represented in the UK Parliament. This appointment is the result of Baroness Tatler’s distinguished record of public service, and represents progress towards that aspiration – the recognition of Jain values within national life.
The Institute of Jainology congratulates Baroness Tatler on this historic achievement and wishes her every success in her work in the House of Lords. Her appointment stands as an inspiration to future generations of Jains who may seek to serve the country in public life.