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Washington Senate committee clears Diwali, Bandi Chor Diwas bill
The measure would add Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas to the state’s list of officially recognized, non-legal holidays.
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Staff Reporter - Thu, 29, Jan 2026
- 13:22 EST
- 18
Senator Manka Dhingra / Screengrab from the hearing
A bill recognizing bill recognizing Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas as non-legal holidays in the state of Washington cleared a committee hearing on Jan.27
Senate Bill 6044, titled “Recognizing Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas,” was introduced by Senator Manka Dhingra along with Senators Vandana Slater and Yasmin Trudeau.
Also Read: Houston mission marks Diwali’s addition to UNESCO list
Exciting news from Washington State. Senate Bill 6044 which seeks to recognize Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas as non-legal holidays in the state, cleared its first hearing today, in the Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections.
— CoHNA (Coalition of Hindus of North America) (@CoHNAOfficial) January 28, 2026
We thank the bill supporters and… pic.twitter.com/Lyg7desy1A
It would add the two festivals to the list of days officially recognized by the state but not counted as legal holidays, meaning state employees would not receive a paid holiday but could use personal time off or existing religious leave to observe them.
The proposal was heard in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections and is expected to move to an executive session before proceeding to full Senate vote.
“This is the first Indian holiday that we will be recognizing in the state,” Dhingra told the committee, pointing to the long presence of the Indian community in Washington, from farming and railroads to technology and public service.
The Coalition of Hindus of North America (COHNA) welcomed the development, thanking Dhingra for introducing the measure and community members who testified and wrote to lawmakers in support. The organization said the next step would be a vote by the full Washington State Senate.
Diwali, known as the Festival of Lights, is observed by Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs, while Bandi Chhor Divas is a Sikh observance marking the release of Guru Hargobind from imprisonment.
The move comes as several U.S. states and school districts have taken steps in recent years to formally recognize Diwali, reflecting the growing visibility of South Asian communities in public life. States such as California, Pennsylvania and Connecticut have adopted measures acknowledging the festival in schools or public institutions, though Diwali is not a federal holiday.
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