Washington, November 11, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The campaign to declare Diwali a US federal holiday could gain momentum if Democrats secure control of both chambers of Congress, with Congresswoman Grace Meng saying she intends to renew her legislative push in the next Congress.
In an exclusive interview with IANS, the New York Democrat said recognising Diwali nationally would offer Americans, including those who do not celebrate the festival, an opportunity to learn about the cultures and traditions of different communities.
“When people have a day off for a holiday, it’s not just about a day off, but it’s an opportunity for everyone, even if you don’t celebrate those holidays, to learn about the holiday,” Meng said.
She first introduced the proposal in 2023 and said the current effort marked its second introduction. Acknowledging the slow progress, Meng pointed to the time taken to establish Juneteenth as a national holiday and to secure school holidays in New York City.
“Holidays take a long time,” she said, stressing the importance of perseverance.
Meng believes Democratic gains in the House of Representatives and the Senate could provide “a stronger chance of this becoming law as well”. Asked whether she would introduce the legislation again in the next Congress, she replied, “Yes, absolutely.”
Supporters are working to secure additional co-sponsors in the House and hope to see the proposal introduced in the Senate. Meng said the initiative should attract bipartisan backing, describing it as an issue of respect and inclusion for growing Asian-American communities.
Recalling her time in the New York State legislature, Meng said she had supported school holidays for Lunar New Year, Eid and Diwali. Those holidays have since been introduced in New York City.
She also recalled being introduced to Diwali through friends during her high school or college years. The festival’s message of joy and hope, she said, had stayed with her. Celebrations and greetings from politicians across party lines have also helped raise its visibility in the US.
However, Meng warned that growing recognition of South Asian communities was accompanied by increasing hostility. Citing a figure she did not attribute to a specific study during the interview, she said anti-South Asian hate online had increased by around 240 per cent in recent years.
She also referred to incidents involving alleged threats against a Hindu temple in Illinois and racist activists interrupting a Diwali celebration in Washington state while children were performing. These examples were cited by Meng during the interview and were not independently verified for this report.
The Congresswoman welcomed the election of two Indian-American members of Congress, saying both had contested difficult races and flipped seats from Republican to Democratic control. She said she had remained in touch with them during their campaigns and met them again during their congressional orientation.
Meng also cited former Vice President Kamala Harris’s rise to one of the country’s highest offices as evidence of the growing presence of Indian Americans in public life.
Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and some Buddhists, including communities across the Indian diaspora in the US. Although the festival has gained wider recognition through local celebrations, official greetings and school observances, it is not currently a federal holiday.
Declaring Diwali a federal holiday would require legislation to pass both chambers of Congress and receive presidential approval.
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