Diwali Bill Reintroduced in Congress
Rep. Grace Meng proposes making the Festival of Lights the twelfth federal holiday, citing a spike in anti-South Asian hate.
By Justin Barnes ·
The U.S. House of Representatives is considering a new proposal to expand the federal holiday calendar. Rep. Grace Meng, D-N.Y., reintroduced legislation on Monday to designate Diwali as a national holiday.
Meng, who chairs the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, filed the bill one day after the main 2026 Diwali celebrations. The measure currently holds 19 co-sponsors. If passed, Diwali would become the twelfth federally recognized holiday in the United States.
Meng argues that a dedicated day off would allow Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists to observe the holiday fully. She stated that federal recognition signals government support for these communities during a period of rising animus.
"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 in a statement.
The bill follows a documented increase in hostility toward South Asian communities. Meng cited vandalism at Hindu temples and a specific incident in Illinois in October. Alexandros Paporakis, a 19-year-old college student, attempted a mass shooting at the Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple in Aurora. His efforts were stopped when his rifle jammed. He is now charged with felony counts of making a terrorist threat and unlawful possession of a rifle.
Data supports Meng's claim of escalating tension. The Santa Clara University Center for the Study of Organized Hate found that anti-South Asian hate speech on the social media platform X increased by 240 percent between January 2025 and June 2026, compared to levels in January 2024.
Several advocacy groups have endorsed the legislation, including Asian Americans Advancing Justice, the Asian American Federation, the Coalition of Hindus of North America, and Hindus for Human Rights. Meng previously introduced a similar bill in 2023. That version was referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability but did not advance before the session ended. She also recently authorized a separate bill to make Lunar New Year a federal holiday.
