US Lawmakers Reintroduce Bill to Make Diwali a Federal Holiday

US lawmakers, led by Congresswoman Grace Meng, have reintroduced legislation in the House of Representatives seeking to designate Diwali as a federal holiday.

The Diwali Day Act has secured the backing of 19 lawmakers, including Indian-origin representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi, Suhas Subramanyam, Shri Thanedar, Ro Khanna and Ami Bera.

Meng, who heads the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), said in an official statement, "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 honours the rich cultural traditions of its people."

The proposed legislation defines Diwali, also known as Deepavali or the Festival of Lights, as an important annual observance for several religious communities, including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists.

The festival is also celebrated by billions of people across South Asian, Southeast Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities.