US Congresswoman Grace Meng has reintroduced legislation to designate Diwali as a federal public holiday in the United States, citing a rise in anti-Hindu and anti-South Asian hate as a key motivating factor. The Diwali Day Act, if passed, would become the country's 12th federal holiday, adding the Festival of Lights to the official federal calendar.

What the Diwali Day Act Proposes

The bill would amend Section 6103(a) of Title 5 of the US Code by inserting 'Diwali Day' into the existing list of legal public holidays. Meng, who chairs the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), framed the proposal as an affirmation of the contributions of diverse communities — including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists — to American society.

'Diwali represents the triumph of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance,' Meng said. She added that federal recognition would give communities greater opportunity to celebrate and honour their cultural traditions.

Who Is Co-Sponsoring the Bill

The legislation has the backing of 20 lawmakers in total, including Indian-American members Ami Bera, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Suhas Subramanyam, and Shri Thanedar. Other co-sponsors include Nanette Barragán, Wesley Bell, André Carson, Judy Chu, Suzan DelBene, Josh Gottheimer, Timothy Kennedy, Stephen Lynch, Deborah Ross, Lateefah Simon, Tom Suozzi, Mark Takano, Rashida Tlaib, and Bonnie Watson Coleman. Additionally, 17 civil rights, religious, and community organisations have formally endorsed the bill, according to Meng's office.

The Anti-Hate Context Behind the Bill

CAPAC linked the reintroduction directly to documented concerns about religious intimidation and violence targeting Hindu and South Asian communities. The caucus cited vandalism at Hindu places of worship, an alleged mass-shooting plot targeting a Hindu gathering in Illinois, and the recent disruption of a Diwali celebration in Washington state as incidents that underscore the urgency of federal recognition.

'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,' Meng said. The caucus called on federal authorities to investigate such incidents, though its statement described the trend as rising without providing statistical evidence.

Meng's Broader Push for Cultural Recognition

This is not Meng's first effort to place South and East Asian cultural milestones on the federal calendar. She has separately introduced legislation to make Lunar New Year a federal holiday, reflecting a wider legislative agenda around cultural inclusion. 'Here in Queens, I see firsthand how meaningful Diwali is to so many families and communities,' she said, adding that the act would help educate Americans about the significance of the festival.

The bill's prospects in a divided Congress remain to be seen, but its reintroduction — backed by a cross-partisan coalition — signals sustained political momentum for the cause among South Asian and Asian Pacific American communities across the United States.