Democrat Reintroduces Bill to Make Diwali a Federal Holiday

Rep. Grace Meng has reintroduced legislation to make Diwali a federal holiday in the United States. The Diwali Day Act would establish it as the country’s 12th federally recognized holiday, giving federal employees and teachers a day off. Meng described the proposal as overdue recognition of the festival, celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists. The date would vary each year according to the lunar calendar.