Bill introduced to make Diwali a federal holiday in the US

Lawmakers revealed on Wednesday that a bill, led by Congresswoman Carolyn B Maloney from New York, has been introduced in the House of Representatives to make Diwali, festival of lights, 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,” Maloney said at an event at the US Capitol. 

A number of lawmakers, including Indian-American Congresswoman Raja Krishnamoorthi, have co-sponsored the historic legislation. She has also introduced a resolution in the US Congress acknowledging the religious and historical significance of Diwali. 

Diwali this year, according to Maloney, represents the nation’s continuing journey out of the darkness of COVID-19.

“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,” she 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,” Maloney said. 

Gregory Meeks, the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, is a strong supporter of the bill.

“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,” Meeks said. 

He stated that the House Foreign Affairs Committee will be supporting, advocating, and moving forward with this important bill.

Krishnamoorthi said, “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.” 

“That is what Diwali is about. And that is why Diwali needs to be a federal holiday,” he added.