Hindu Candidate for UK Elections: Meet Reva Gudi, UK’s Hindu Conservative Candidate Inspired by the Bhagavad Gita

Dr Reva Gudi is one of several British Indians running in the UK elections on 4 July. Rishi Sunak has always been very open about his Hindu faith, and Reva Gudi, a member of his party, says her inspiration is the Bhagavad Gita. The Feltham and Heston conservation candidate says she believes in the power of inclusion. Her faith and “sanskar” have been a guiding force throughout her life, she said in a campaign video. “The principle of dharma (righteousness), seva (service), ahimsa (non-violence) are integral to my approach to politics,” she said.

Who is Dr. Reva Gudi? 5 Things to Know

1. An NHS GP for over 20 years, Dr Reva Gudi lives in Hillingdon, West London.
2. Dr Gudi was born in Barnet, north London. She attended primary school in Colindale before her family returned to India.
3. She has lived in Hillingdon since 2016 with her husband, in-laws and children.
4. Reva said her entire professional life as a doctor and school principal has been dedicated to public service and she believes she can make a tangible difference to the community if she becomes an MP.
5. Feltham and Heston will be at the forefront of her mind when she becomes an MP, she said.
6. “I will be tough on crime, tackle the causes and also work with a range of agencies and organisations to find meaningful solutions. I will fight to secure resources for Feltham and Heston,” she said in her campaign speech.

“Gita helped me through this journey”
Dr Reva Gudi is a Hindu and considers the Gita as her source of inspiration. “Politics is unpredictable, with many ups and downs, where I have to deal with different people and situations, often all at the same time. And I have found that the message of the Bhagwad Gita, which emphasizes surrender of ego, detachment, and service without any desire for fruits of action, has helped me navigate this journey, making it for the most part very enjoyable,” she said.

“As a Hindu woman, I sometimes face unique challenges, including overcoming stereotypes and ensuring my voice is heard, in a field that is overwhelmingly male-dominated,” she said.