The US lawmakers, led by Congresswoman Carolyn B Maloney from New York, introduced a bill in the US Congress on Wednesday to declare Diwali a federal holiday.
"I'm very, very happy and excited to be introducing the Deepavali Day Act this week alongside members of the Congressional Indian Caucus, which will enshrine Diwali into law as a federal holiday," PTI quoted Maloney from an event at the US Capitol.
Prominent Indian-American Congresswoman Raja Krishnamoorthi co-sponsored the landmark bill.
Explaining how Diwali symbolises the nation's journey out of the darkness of pandemic Covid-19, Maloney said, "I am very proud to celebrate with you the victory of light over darkness, the triumph of good over evil and the pursuit of knowledge over ignorance as we do every day. It is truly appropriate that Diwali this year symbolises our nation's continuing journey out of the darkness of Covid-19."
Lawmaker Krishnamoorthi also introduced a resolution in the US Congress recognising the religious and historical significance of Diwali.
"On this holiday of Diwali, we should say, be the light you wish to see in the world. Be the light in your community that is needed to dispel the darkness. Be the light in this community that brings hope to the hopeless. Let us be the light that helps the last, the least and the last", Krishnamoorthi said.
He added, "That is what Diwali is about. And that is why Diwali needs to be a federal holiday."
The US Parliament is called the US Congress, which consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Congressman Gregory Meeks, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, supported the legislation to declare Diwali a federal holiday.
"This is something that should be shared with all of us in American society. It's a good day, because we're talking about light over darkness. And that's what this is about," PTI quoted Meeks.
The world is celebrating Diwali to mark the return of Lord Shri Ram to Ayodhya after the exile of 14 years.
Congresswoman Maloney said, "Celebrations like Diwali speak to the core of what we all desire for our nation to be a beacon of happiness, healing, learning and light and uncertain times. My colleagues, Indian-American community leaders and I believe that there is no better time to enshrine Diwali as a federal holiday than in the wake of this terrible dark pandemic."
