BY ANGELA MATUA
Several Queens elected officials are trying to make Diwali, the South Asian Festival of Lights, an official public school holiday.
State Senator Leroy Comrie and Assemblyman Michael Miller held a press conference on June 6 calling for passage of Senate Bill S5304 and Assembly Bill A4331, which would honor a holiday celebrated by many people of Hindu, Jain and Sikh faiths.
According to the U.S. Census, approximately 207,414 New York City residents identify themselves as Asian Indian and many of them celebrate the holiday that spans five days.
Comrie and Miller are looking to make the third day of the festival, known as Amavasya, a holiday recognized for public schools and city workers.
“Just as Diwali symbolizes a renewal of faith and a victory of light over darkness for those of the Indian community, here in Queens and New York State, immigrants come from all over the world to find new beginnings,” Comrie said. “I am proud to carry a bill infused with a spirit of diversity and inclusivity, and to commit myself to integrating the South Asian community’s rich heritage into the greater culture of this state.”
Diwali represents the start of the new year on the Hindu calendar. On the third day, millions of people all over the world light lamps to symbolize righteousness and light overcoming and dispelling ignorance and darkness.
Diwali is a recognized holiday by the city, and the Sanitation Department suspends alternate-side parking for the day. However, Dr. Mohammad Hack, president of the Inter-Faith Council for Community Development, doesn’t believe the city goes far enough in recognizing the holiday.
“Just as all faiths are protected by the law of the land, equally so should all be able to enjoy the holidays that tie our cultures together,” Hack said. “I want to commend Senator Comrie and Assemblyman Miller for their committed effort to ensure a breakthrough for those celebrating Diwali, so they will be able to enjoy that time with their families.”
City Councilman Daniel Dromm introduced a City Council resolution in February, urging the Department of Education and Chancellor Carmen Farina to approve a proposal to make Diwali a school holiday. Several Queens city and state officials have signed on as co-sponsors of the bills, including Congressman Gregory Meeks, Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Senator Jose Peralta, Assemblyman David Weprin, Councilman I. Daneek Miller and Councilman Donovan Richards.
The bill is currently pending a vote in the Senate’s Judiciary Committee.
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