The state House nearly unanimously passed a bill Wednesday to officially recognize Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights celebrated in the fall.
State Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-McCandless, introduced the bill and celebrated its passing. Venkat is the first Indian-American representative in Pennsylvania state House history.
“This legislation is important in that it reflects the increased diversity of Pennsylvania,” Venkat said in a statement. “Our state holidays should reflect the vibrancy of the many cultures that call this state home, and this bill is getting us closer to that goal.”
The bill would designate the 15th day of the Hindu lunisolar month of Kartik, which occurs in the fall in the United States, as Diwali Day in Pennsylvania.
The State House State Gov committee unanimously passed my legislation to recognize Diwali, the Festival of Lights, under state law. As our only Indian-American State Rep, I am honored to sponsor this bill recognizing the vibrant South Asian community as part of the fabric of PA. pic.twitter.com/Agq05AMuLl
— Rep. Arvind Venkat (@RepVenkat) April 24, 2023
Venkat said Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, as well as other faiths including Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism. He said the holiday is observed by more than one billion people worldwide and is important to Pennsylvania’s nearly 200,000 South Asian residents.
“I am fortunate to have a significant Hindu and South Asian community in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, and the House’s passage of this bill by an overwhelming majority lets them and others in the South Asian community statewide know that their voices and traditions matter to us and that they are an integral part of the fabric of our state,” Venkat said.
The city of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County have officially recognized Diwali for several years. Allegheny County has been home to a significant South Asian community since the 1970s.
Venkat’s bill passed the House on a 200 to 1 vote, with the lone dissent coming from state Rep. Stephanie Borowicz, R-Clinton County. She faced controversy in 2019 for leading an opening prayer in the House chambers in which she thanked Jesus over an dozen times for the honor and blessed then-President Donald Trump for standing “behind Israel unequivocally.”
The Diwali bill now heads to the Senate chamber for consideration.
