Pennsylvania Declares Diwali a State Holiday as Governor Josh Shapiro Signs Senate Bill 402 into Law

October 22 :
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed Senate Bill 402, formally recognizing Diwali as a state holiday in the Keystone State. At a celebration held at the Keystone Building in downtown Harrisburg, the signing was administered at the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Asian American & Pacific Islander Affairs meeting.

Over a billion people throughout the world practice Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, or Sikhism; hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians are among these people, and the bipartisan law recognizes this diversity.

In a statement, Governor Shapiro acknowledged the significance of Diwali and the rich cultural legacy and numerous contributions of the Asian American community to Pennsylvania. He explained that by signing this bill into law, he was able to celebrate both. He brought attention to the fact that the Commonwealth shares Diwali's ideals of inclusivity and unity, which represent the victory of light over darkness.

The "Festival of Lights," or Diwali, is a big celebration in South Asia that marks the triumph of goodness over evil and of education over ignorance. It is celebrated with fireworks, lamplight, and family get-togethers. The main festival of Diwali will take place on October 31 and the celebrations will continue through November 3.

Declaring, "It's a privilege to join Governor Shapiro as he signs this law to officially recognize Diwali as a state holiday in Pennsylvania," Razin Karu, executive director of the Governor's advisory panel, underlined the significance of the festival to the Hindu, Jain, and Sikh communities.

The bill's sponsors, Senators Nikil Saval and Greg Rothman, were appreciative of the widespread support the measure garnered. Recognizing Diwali as an official state holiday recognizes the rich cultural diversity of our Commonwealth," stated Senator Rothman. "The official recognition of Diwali by our Commonwealth sends a clear message of inclusion," Sen. Saval continued.

According to House counterpart bill sponsor Arvind Venkat, the measure "recognizes and honors our diversity in Pennsylvania and fosters a stronger sense of community and inclusivity." The new law recognizes the cultural importance of Diwali, but it does not mandate that schools, government offices, or businesses close on the festival. The new law will be formally implemented for the first time during Diwali 2024.