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Hindus seek Diwali bank holiday in England by 2022

A bank holiday for Diwali in England is being proposed by Hindus to be introduced in England starting in 2022

Diwali, the festival of lights, aims at dispelling the darkness and lighting up the lives and symbolizes the victory of good over evil.


Hinduism is the oldest and third largest religion of the world and has about 1.1 billion adherents and moksh.

Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, made a statement in Nevada, USA today, saying that it was not fair for the England Hindu community as many have to attend work and school during their most popular religious festival.

Mr Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, suggested that United Kingdom government needed to revisit its public and bank holiday policies as England is a multicultural society and the Hindu populations continues to grow.

England has eight bank holidays in 2021; including Good Friday, Easter Monday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day.

As an interfaith gesture, Rajan Zed urged Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and President of Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales Cardinal Vincent G. Nichols to support the proposed bank holiday.

Mr Welby responding by saying the Church of England seeks “to work together for the common good”.

Diwali in 2022 will fall on Monday, 24th October.

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