CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — An Illinois lawmaker is among those looking to add a new federal holiday to the U.S. calendar.
Illinois Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi and other members of the India Caucus are set to propose a bill this week that would make Diwali a federal holiday.
“It’s celebrated by hundreds of millions of people around the world,” he said. “People of the Hindu faith, Sikh and Jain faith, but also, people of all stripes of Indian origin, regardless of their faith or religious traditions.”
Krishnamoorthi said Diwali’s themes of good versus evil, light over darkness and knowledge prevailing over ignorance should unite everyone, regardless of faith or political affiliation.
“When so many people are worried about the rise of prejudice, bigotry or hate, I think it’s all the more important to educate people about other backgrounds so that we can all live more in harmony, tolerance and inclusion,” he continued.
The five-day festival of lights begins Thursday.
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