MENG REINTRODUCES BILL TO MAKE DIWALI A FEDERAL HOLIDAY

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As communities across the United States and around the world gathered to celebrate Diwali yesterday, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, reintroduced the Diwali Day Act to recognize Diwali as a federal holiday.

Diwali, also known as Deepavali or the Festival of Lights, is one of the most important holidays of the year for many religious groups including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists as well as billions in the South Asian, Southeast Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities. While the celebration holds a different significance for these diverse religious, ethnic and cultural groups, the Festival of Lights unites those who observe with reflection, prayer and gathering with loved ones.

“Diwali represents the triumph of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance,” said Meng. “At a time when anti-Hindu and anti-South Asian hate is on the rise, recognizing Diwali as a federal holiday sends a powerful message that Hindus, as well as Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists, are valued members of our society. Here in Queens, I see firsthand how meaningful Diwali is to so many families and communities. My Diwali Day Act will help educate Americans about the importance of this day, and I will continue working to create a more inclusive nation that honors the rich cultural traditions of its people.”

Hindu and South Asian communities across the country are facing an alarming rise in hate, intimidation, and targeted violence. This includes vandalism at Hindu places of worship, an attempted mass shooting during Navratri festivities at a Hindu temple in Illinois, and the recent racist disruption of a Diwali celebration in Washington State. CAPAC has been sounding the alarm that these acts of hate must be taken seriously and investigated by federal authorities.

Under Meng’s legislation, Diwali would become the 12th federally recognized holiday in the United States. Establishing a federal holiday for Diwali, and the day off it would provide, would allow communities to celebrate and demonstrate that the government values the rich cultures and traditions of its citizens. Meng is also the author of the Lunar New Year Day Act, which would establish Lunar New Year as a federally recognized holiday.

The Diwali Day Act is co-sponsored by 19 Members of Congress, including Reps. Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Ami Bera (CA-06), André Carson (IN-07), Judy Chu (CA-28), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Timothy Kennedy (NY-26), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Tom Suozzi (NY-03), Mark Takano (CA-39), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12).

The measure is also endorsed by Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC), Asian American Federation (AAF), Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), Hindus for Human Rights, Hindu Temple Society of North America, Indian American Impact, Indian Diaspora Council, Indo-Caribbean Alliance, International Commission on Dalit Rights, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA), OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates, Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), The Sikh Cultural Society, The Sikh Coalition, South Asian Impact Foundation, and Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC).

A copy of the legislation can be viewed here.