19 US lawmakers back bill to make Diwali federal holiday

Congresswoman Grace Meng has reintroduced the Diwali Day Act in the House of Representatives, with 19 lawmakers including Indian-origin representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi, Suhas Subramanyam, Shri Thanedar, Ro Khanna and Ami Bera as co-sponsors. The bill would amend the US Code to add Diwali to the list of legal public holidays, making it the 12th federal holiday.

Meng said recognising Diwali sends a message that Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists are valued members of society. The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, which Meng chairs, linked the proposal to rising anti-Hindu and anti-South Asian hate, citing vandalism at Hindu places of worship, an alleged mass-shooting plot during Navratri at an Illinois temple, and disruption of a Diwali celebration in Washington state. The legislation has endorsements from 17 civil rights, religious and community organisations.

Update, 10 November 2026: Meng said the bill will help educate Americans about Diwali and promote inclusion. The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus cited vandalism at Hindu temples, an attempted mass shooting in Illinois, and disruption of a Diwali celebration in Washington state as examples of rising hate. The bill has attracted 19 co-sponsors, including Raja Krishnamoorthi, Suhas Subramanyam, Shri Thanedar, Ro Khanna and Ami Bera.