US lawmakers reintroduce bill to make Diwali a federal holiday
Congresswoman Grace Meng leads the Diwali Day Act, which is supported by 19 lawmakers including five Indian-origin representatives.
US lawmakers have reintroduced legislation in the House of Representatives to designate Diwali as a federal holiday, according to reports from Deccan Chronicle, India Today and The Tribune. The Diwali Day Act is led by Congresswoman Grace Meng, who chairs the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC).
The bill has the support of 19 lawmakers, including Indian-origin representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi, Suhas Subramanyam, Shri Thanedar, Ro Khanna and Ami Bera. If passed by Congress, the festival would become the 12th federally recognised holiday in the United States.
The proposed law describes the Festival of Lights, also called Deepavali, as a significant yearly event for Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists. It is also observed by billions of people within Indo-Caribbean, South Asian and Southeast Asian communities.
Meng stated that the act aims to educate Americans and foster a more inclusive nation. She said that recognising the holiday sends a message that various religious groups are valued members of society, especially as anti-Hindu and anti-South Asian hate increases.
The CAPAC highlighted rising hostility against these communities, citing vandalism at places of worship, a racist disruption of a celebration in Washington State and an attempted mass shooting during Navratri at an Illinois temple. The caucus called for federal authorities to investigate these acts of hate.
The legislation has received endorsements from several organisations, including the Coalition of Hindus of North America, The Sikh Coalition and Indian American Impact. Meng has also introduced the Lunar New Year Day Act.
