Jackson Heights, NY — This morning, on the first day of South Asian Heritage Month, Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas held a press conference at Diversity Plaza in Queens to celebrate the passing of A7769/S7574, which establishes Diwali as a public school holiday in New York City. The Assemblymember, who co-sponsors the bill, was joined by the bill’s primary sponsor, Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, other Queens elected officials, and South Asian and Indo-Caribbean advocacy groups and community leaders. Diwali celebrates light over darkness, good over evil, and the human ability to overcome obstacles. Originating in South Asia, it is one of the most sacred days of the year for over 600,000 Hindu, Sikh, Jain, and Buddhist New Yorkers.
The South Asian community fought for decades to make Diwali an official school holiday, and in this session, they achieved their goal. The Diwali school holiday bill passed in the legislature unanimously in June. Diwali will finally be enshrined as a school holiday when signed into law. The Department of Education has already incorporated the Diwali holiday into the calendars for the next three school years. Now New Yorkers who celebrate Diwali, many of whom reside in the Queens neighborhoods the elected officials in attendance represent, will have their traditions and religious practices respected and no longer have to celebrate at the expense of missing a school day.
This press conference celebrated the South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities, advocacy groups, and leaders in Queens for their commitment to making New York City a more inclusive and culturally vibrant place.
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“After decades of tireless advocacy, South-Asian, and Indo-Caribbean New Yorkers will finally be able to celebrate Diwali without sacrificing a school day. New York City Public School students who don’t observe Diwali will also now have an opportunity to learn about cultural and religious practices that differ from theirs. I’m proud to represent a large, diverse South-Asian community in Assembly District 34 in Queens. I’m thrilled to stand with them today to celebrate this hard-fought legislative victory,” said Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas.
Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar said, “Nothing can stop a community whose time has come. This year, our State came together with one voice to support my Diwali School Holiday Bill. With the passage of my historic bill, the State is saying to the South Asian community, ‘We see you. We hear you. We recognize you.’ People said the dream of the
Diwali School Holiday was impossible, but we made this dream a reality. To everyone who believed in the power of the possible—whether in the legislature, the streets of Queens, or all around the world, this victory is yours.”
“As the Assemblymember representing one of the largest South Asian communities in this state, I am deeply proud to have co-sponsored legislation for the recognition of Diwali as an official school holiday in our great state of New York”, said Assemblymember Catalina Cruz. “Our diverse State thrives on the rich cultures of all its neighbors. Through the passage of this legislation, we honor our South Asian Hindu community by acknowledging the significance of their vibrant tradition. Let this decision stand as a testament to our commitment to inclusivity and respect for the cultural heritage that makes New York uniquely unique.”
“I am pleased to see Diwali finally becoming a school holiday in New York, a bill I proudly co-sponsored. Diwali, the Festival of Lights, sends a powerful, positive message that good triumphs over evil, light over darkness. In our multicultural City, I represent one of the largest Hindu, Sikh, and Jain populations, with my district being 35% South Asian, one of the largest in the State. I have been fighting for this school holiday for a long time, and I call for Governor Hochul to sign this bill into law. A student should not have to choose between attending school and celebrating their cultural holiday,” said Assemblymember David Weprin.
“I’m incredibly proud that our diverse State has recognized the significance of Diwali, one of the most important festivals for thousands in New York and across the globe. This legislative move acknowledges the rich tapestry of our State’s diverse cultures and stands as a beacon of inclusivity and mutual respect. We hope that the inclusion of Diwali brings us closer to reflecting the true diversity and spirit of New York State,” said Assemblymember Steven Raga.
“Finally, over 200,000 children in New York City schools who observe Diwali can celebrate without choosing between their culture and their classwork. Diwali is a meaningful celebration for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs, celebrating the victory of light over darkness. Today, I’m proud to celebrate this hard-fought victory by many who have fought to make Diwali a holiday in our City, including the Diwali Coalition,” said Assemblymember Mamdani.
“Next year, for the first time in New York City, my kids and many others will be able to take a day off school to gather with family, light our diyas, and celebrate the victory of good over evil on Deepavali. I’m proud to have fought alongside so many advocates to win this holiday for South Asian New Yorkers finally,” said Council Member Shekar Krishnan.
Councilwoman Sandra Ung said, “Like Lunar New Year for so many Asian-American cultures, Diwali is one of the most important holidays for New York City’s South Asian community and many religious groups. Children who celebrate the Festival of Lights deserve to have their culture recognized, as well as the opportunity to be able to celebrate with their families. Just as when Lunar New Year was finally made an official school holiday, designating Diwali is an important recognition of our City’s rich diversity.”
“Light over darkness has prevailed! For too long, our community has felt invisible in our City. Diwali becoming a public school sends a powerful message to our communities’ youngsters that they belong, are part of this City, and we see and value them. Moreover, our entire City’s student body gains from the opportunity to broaden their horizons and become prepared to be global citizens,” said Annetta Seecharran, Executive Director of Chhaya Community Development Corporation.
“The passage of the Diwali bills is an acknowledgment of Indo-Caribbean history, a critical step in honoring the legacies, struggles, and resilience of thousands of indentured laborers. Many of their descendants arrived in New York City in the early 60s as migrants fleeing political persecution from Guyana, Trinidad, and Tobago. Today, New York is home to the largest Indo-Caribbean foreign-born population in the United States, many of whom live in immigrant communities like Richmond Hill and South Ozone Park in Queens. We stand in solidarity with Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas and thousands of Indo-Caribbean and South Asian immigrant families who will finally celebrate Diwali at home together and not be forced to choose between getting an education and their faith, including the Hindu, Sikh, Jain, and Buddhist communities. Today, I am calling on Governor Kathy Hochul to sign the legislation. Make Diwali a Holiday!” Mohamed Q. Amin, Founder and Executive Director of Caribbean Equality Project.
“I strongly agree with Diwali becoming a public school holiday, and I am so proud of the community and elected officials working so hard to make that happen. Diwali is sacred to so many Hindus worldwide that celebrate it and practice the Hindu faith. It is crucial to keep these festivals and traditions alive so future generations can learn to do the same for their children and grandchildren,” said Mazeda Uddin from South Asian Fund For Education Scholarship and Training Inc.
“At South Asian Youth Action (SAYA), we aim to foster a sense of belonging. With the official recognition of Diwali as a school holiday by New York State, many more youth will feel a greater sense of belonging and visibility in their neighborhoods and communities. SAYA hopes that along with this school holiday designation, the Governor, State Legislature, NYC Public Schools, and districts across the State will also prioritize making additions and improvements to the school curriculum and teaching materials to ensure the diverse histories and experiences of York’srk’s many youths are centered and uplifted d”ily,” said Sonia B. Sisodia, Executive Director, South Asian Youth Action (SAYA).
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