On May 27, 2023, a prominent American lawmaker introduced a bill in the US Congress to declare Diwali, the festival of lights, a federal holiday, a move welcomed by different communities nationwide.
“Diwali is one of the most important festivals and days for billions of people across the globe and for countless families in Queens, New York and the United States of America,” Congresswoman Grace Meng told reporters during a virtual news conference soon after the decision was introduced in the House of Representatives.
“Diwali celebrations are a wonderful time here in Queens, and each year, it is easy to see just how important this day is to so many people. America’s strength is derived from the diverse experiences, cultures and committees that make up this nation,” she said.
“My Diwali Day Act is one step towards educating all Americans on the importance of this day and celebrating the full face of American Diversity. I look forward to shepherding this bill through Congress,” she said.
Establishing a federal holiday for Diwali and the day of that it provides would allow families and friends to celebrate together and demonstrate that the government values the diverse cultural makeup of the nation, the Congresswoman said.
When passed by Congress and then by the US President, the Diwali Day Act would make the festival of lights the 12th formally recognised holiday in the United States of America (USA).
Welcoming this move, New York Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar said, “This year we saw our entire state speak with one voice in support of recognising Diwali and the South Asian Community.”
My extraordinary partner in government Congresswoman Meng is now taking the movement national with her historical legislation to make Diwali a federal holiday. “Together, we are showing that Diwali is an American Holiday. To over four million Americans celebrating Diwali, your government sees and hears you,” she said.
Applauding Meng for her continued work to increase the visibility of the Asian American Community, New York State Senator Jeremey Cooney said naming Diwali a federal holiday not only honours those who observe but highlights a cultural tradition some Americans do not experience regularly.
“Diwali is a special holiday for many South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities,” said New York City Councilman Shekar Krishnan.
“As the first Indian American ever elected to the NYC government, I am so proud to support Meng’s decision and legislation to establish “Deepavali” as a federal holiday. It is crucial that children like my own are officially celebrate our holidays with their families in such a way that I was not able to grow up,” he said.
“The recognition of Diwali and Bandi Chhod Diwas is pivotal to enriching the cultural fabric of the US and fostering greater understanding and appreciation for the rich South Asian diaspora,” said Sim. J Attariwala, the Senior Policy and Advisory Manager of The Sikh Coalition.
“Today is the milestone that demonstrates our visibility and our contributions and the progress we are making in the US with the Diwali Day Act,” said Richard David, a board member at the Indo-Caribbean alliance.
Congratulations, Congresswoman Meng, Coalition of Hindus of North America president Nikunj Trivedi said that millions of North Americans celebrate this festival, and it symbolises the victory of good over evil and of light over darkness and brings together people from all backgrounds to cherish goodness, well-being, peace and prosperity-things that everyone can value and benefit from.
“As Hindu Americans, we are so glad to see a bill to honour the multitude of celebrations that take place across the Indian Subcontinent, the Caribbean and beyond on Diwali,” said Ria Chakrabarty, the Policy Director for Hindus and Human Rights.
According to Dr Neeta Jain, the founder and president of the International Ahimsa Foundation, “it is high time to recognise Diwali as a holiday in US public schools.”
Our children should be treated equally. As our children celebrate other cultures, others shall learn about our culture as well. This is the only way we can teach children to have mutual respect, understanding and acceptance,” she said.
In the month of April 2023, the US state of Pennsylvania declared Diwali as a state holiday. The state passed a bill recognising the Hindu Festival as an official holiday.
The legislation designating Diwali as a state holiday was submitted in February 2023 by two senators-Greg Rothman and Nikhil Saval.
According to the India-America Impact, Pennsylvania is home to more than 600,000 Asian Americans, with Indian Americans making up the largest segment. Nearly, 200,000 American Indians in the state celebrate Diwali every year.
On November 3, 2021, the United States (US) Congress introduced the “Deepavali Day Act”. The legislation was introduced by a delegation of lawmakers led by New York Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney. The team also included Raja Krishnamoorthi, an Indian American representing Illinois in the Congress.
Apart from making this festival a national holiday, Congressman Krishnamoorthi introduced legislation recognising Diwali’s religious and historical significance. The bill was converted into an act in the House of Representatives.
At an event in the US Capitol, Maloney said that Diwali this year symbolises the nations continuing journey out of the darkness of COVID-19. Gregory Meeks, the House of Foreign Affairs Committee chairman, supported the legislation.
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