Lawmakers Push for Diwali as Federal Holiday
US lawmakers have reintroduced a bill in the House of Representatives to recognise Diwali as a federal holiday across the country. The proposed legislation, known as the Diwali Day Act, is supported by Congresswoman Grace Meng and 19 other members of Congress. The move aims to recognise the cultural and religious importance of Diwali and its growing popularity among American communities.
Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in India and several other countries. It is observed by different religious communities, including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists. People celebrate the festival by lighting oil lamps, decorating their homes, exchanging gifts, preparing special food and spending time with family and friends.
Congresswoman Grace Meng has strongly supported the proposal, saying that recognising Diwali as a federal holiday would help promote cultural diversity and inclusion in the United States. The bill has also received support from 19 other lawmakers, including five members of Indian heritage. Their support highlights the importance of the Indian-American community and other groups that celebrate the festival.
If the proposal is approved by Congress and becomes law, Diwali would become the twelfth federal holiday in the United States. It would join other major holidays such as Christmas, Independence Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. A federal holiday would allow government offices and certain institutions to remain closed in recognition of the occasion.
Supporters of the Diwali Day Act believe the proposal would give millions of Americans an opportunity to celebrate their cultural traditions without work-related difficulties. They also argue that recognising the festival at the national level would reflect the country’s growing multicultural population.
The bill must still pass through the legislative process before becoming law. If approved, it would mark an important step towards recognising Diwali’s cultural significance in American society.