Ohio Allows Diwali Holidays for Hindu Students

Ohio has become the first state in the U.S. to officially allow Hindu students to take off school for Diwali and two additional Hindu holidays, as announced by Indian American State Senator Niraj Antani. The law, which will take effect in 2025, mandates that schools cannot penalize students for these absences and must provide alternatives for missed exams. Antani, who co-sponsored the bill, emphasized its significance as a historic victory for Hindus in Ohio, allowing for greater recognition of cultural diversity in education. The law also permits Hindu students to take days off for other important religious observances, such as Navaratri and Pongal. Parents are required to notify school principals in advance about the holidays their children will observe. The Hindu American Foundation and other community leaders have praised this legislative milestone, hoping it will encourage similar laws in other states.