Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) has reintroduced legislation aiming to establish Diwali as a federal holiday in the U.S., framing it as overdue recognition for Hindu, Sikh, Jain, and Buddhist communities. The bill, dubbed the Diwali Day Act, would make the Festival of Lights the 12th federally recognized holiday.
“This Diwali, I’m wishing everyone celebrating in Queens and beyond joy, prosperity, and light,” Meng wrote on social media. “My Diwali Day Act would make this joyous holiday a federal holiday — recognition that is long overdue.”
What the Bill Would Do
If passed, the legislation would grant federal employees and public school teachers a day off for Diwali, which follows the lunar calendar and typically falls in October or November. The holiday symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and is marked by family gatherings, prayers, and festive lights.
Meng’s office noted that Diwali is celebrated by multiple religious groups, including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists. The bill’s text describes it as a time for “reflection, prayer, and gatherings with family, friends, and community.”
Growing Support and Demographics
The legislation has 19 co-sponsors, including Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Ami Bera (D-CA), and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI). The push comes as the U.S. Hindu population reaches about 1% of the country, with Indian Americans now numbering roughly 6 million.
Advocates argue that federal recognition would reflect the nation’s growing diversity. However, the proposal faces an uncertain path in a divided Congress, where previous efforts to expand federal holidays have stalled.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/11/10/new-york-democrat-grace-meng-reintroduces-bill-to-make-diwali-a-federal-holiday/