Several U.S. lawmakers have introduced and backed legislation that would make Diwali—also known as Deepavali or the Festival of Lights—a federally recognised holiday in the United States. Coverage describes the measure as the “Diwali Day Act,” filed with Congress and seeking to add “Diwali Day” to the list of legal public holidays in U.S. law.
The reports agree that the proposal would make Diwali the 12th federally recognised holiday if Congress passes it. They also frame the initiative as a way to acknowledge the cultural and religious significance of the festival and to recognise the broader communities that celebrate it, including Hindu and other South Asian religious groups.
Outlets differ mainly in emphasis. Newsweek highlights timing and suggests Diwali could be set as a federal holiday before Easter, while The Hindu and other Indian-focused outlets stress the number of lawmakers backing the proposal and the potential inclusion message. Free Press Journal adds context around rising anti–Hindu and anti–South Asian hate, while Times of India and India Today focus on Indian-origin lawmakers supporting the push.
