On Tuesday, US President Joe Biden celebrated Diwali in the White House in the presence of Indian-American officials and staff members.
The Festival of Lights has found a special place in the heart of American politics.
The celebration has changed over time, with each president bringing a special flair to this gathering.
How did the tradition start? Let’s take a look.
Joe Biden marks Diwali celebrations
President Joe Biden conveyed Diwali greetings to the public, emphasising the festival’s significance and noting that it is proudly celebrated at the White House today.
Addressing the White House, the US President said, “The South Asian American community has enriched every part of American life.”
“Earlier in our nation’s founding, generations before (you lit a) diya in the shadow of the suspicion. Now in the (our) time, Diwali is celebrated openly and proudly here in the White House.”
Happy Diwali from the White House! Together, may we show the power in the gathering of light. pic.twitter.com/IHKn2gvj5s
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) October 29, 2024
The President emphasised the significance of the moment, highlighting that the country is at an “inflection point” and urging attendees not to take the ‘Idea of America’ for granted.
“This is not my house; this is your house… Today we face an inflection point… Every once in a few generations we are reminded to not take the Idea of America for granted… American Democracy has never been easy. In a country as diverse as ours, we debate, we dissent… but the key is, we never lose sight of how we got here and why,” Biden said.
The US President also recalled the first Diwali celebration that he and First Lady Jill Biden held at the Vice President’s home in 2016. He praised his administration’s diversity, citing US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and current Vice President Kamala Harris.
“Only in America is everything possible,” Biden said at the end.
In a significant step towards acknowledging the Hindu holiday, New York City schools will close on November 1st for the first time ever in observance of Diwali.
According to ANI, the Deputy Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs, Dilip Chauhan, highlighted the significance of the decision, praising community leaders and advocates for their years of dedication.
Diwali at the White House
In 2003,
US President George W Bush started the tradition of celebrating Diwali. He was unable to attend in person, but Karl Rove, his chief political advisor, oversaw the celebrations in the Indian Treaty Room. By lighting the iconic brass lamp, Rove gave the Indian American group in attendance President Bush’s personal greetings. This paved the way for further festivities.
In 2009,
President Barack Obama carried on the tradition, but he went one step further. By lighting a diya in the ceremonial East Room, he became the first US president to celebrate Diwali personally. He bowed before a Hindu priest, highlighting the festival’s emphasis on compassion and reflection.
“While this is a time of rejoicing, it’s also a time for reflection, when we remember those who are less fortunate and renew our commitment to reach out to those in need,” Obama said.
Former President Barack Obama (L) stands next to Hindu Priest Narayanachar Digalakote of Sri Siva Vishnu Temple in Maryland, as he lights an oil lamp in celebration of Diwali in the East Room of the White House in Washington, October 14, 2009. Reuters
Another significant event was the lighting of the first-ever diya in the Oval Office by President Obama in 2016.
“It is a tradition that I hope future Presidents will continue,” Obama expressed.
In 2017,
President Donald Trump celebrated Diwali by lighting a diya alongside his daughter Ivanka and Indian American officials.
Trump said, “I am thrilled to be here for the celebration of Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, and I am honoured to host this beautiful ceremony at the White House. Very, very special people… Our nation is blessed to be home to millions of hardworking citizens of Indian and Southeast Asian heritage who enrich our country in countless ways. Together, we are one proud American family.”
Former US President Donald Trump participates in the Diwali ceremonial lighting of the Diya as India’s Ambassador to the U.S. Navtej Sarna (R) looks on in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, US. Reuters
However, the tradition of official Diwali celebrations at the White House was disrupted in 2018 by the crucial midterm elections. The Diwali flame remained burning in the Oval Office in observance of the holiday despite the break, as per Mint.
The largest celebration
With 200 guests, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden threw the biggest Diwali celebration at the White House ever in 2022.
In his remarks, President Biden lit a diya and discussed the importance of Diwali to South Asian and Indian American communities. The occasion highlighted the diverse range of cultures that are interwoven with the narrative of America.
President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris interact during a reception to celebrate Diwali in the East Room of the White House in Washington US, October 24, 2022. Reuters
“This is the first Diwali reception of this scale, in this house, ever to be held,” President Biden proudly said.
The Bidens’ Diwali celebration has been marked by lights, colour, music, and dancing over the years.
Dancers perform during a reception to celebrate Diwali hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden in the East Room of the White House in Washington US, October 24, 2022. Reuters
The tradition was carried on in 2023 when Vice President Kamala Harris hosted an early Diwali reception at her official residence. At the event, prominent members of the South Asian and Indian communities gathered for an extravagant celebration.
Different religious celebrations
Even though the US is a secular country and primarily celebrates Christmas, the White House observes different cultural and religious celebrations, reflecting the nation’s shifting social order.
In 1998, then-First Lady Hilary Clinton sent greetings for Eid.
In 2001, President Bush hosted an iftar dinner, and subsequent presidents, regardless of their political affiliation, carried on the tradition.
In his first year as president, Trump broke the tradition in 2017, but it continued in 2018.
The New York Times reported in 2001 that Bush’s choice was influenced by his personal strong religious convictions as well as the events following the 26/11 terrorist attacks.
The report said, “Since September 11, the president has kept his personal belief in Christianity unusually private – he would not say this week whether he still reads the Bible every day – as he has made extraordinary gestures to Islam. The politics here are as obvious as they are praised, particularly by Muslims pleased that the White House has continually said that its war is against Osama bin Laden and not the prophet Muhammad.”
The news report further said, “After celebrating Ramadan, the White House seemed to have no choice but to go all out for Hanukkah.”
Although US presidents have historically sent greetings to the American people on the Jewish holiday, it was during Bush’s administration that the White House Residence lit Hanukkah candles, or menorah, for the first time. The practice continues today.
‘Political recognition of influential minority’
As the largest Asian American group in the United States today, Indian Americans are also among the most affluent and politically active.
In 2017, Amanda Lucia, a professor of religious studies at the University of California Riverside, wrote about the significance of Obama’s recognition: “He (Obama) communicated word to South Asian Americans that they are a part of the American national narrative. His actions were not only about lighting lamps… but they were also about the political recognition of an influential minority group in the United States.”
Lucia added, “In 2017, President Donald Trump chose not to commemorate Ramadan with Eid al-Fitr celebrations at the White House… These presidential decisions signify much more than personal affinities, preferences, and religious convictions. Rather, they are means by which the American people, through the actions of their elected leaders, determine whether Hindus and Muslims are included as Americans within the American national narrative.”
With inputs from agencies
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Publish date : 2024-10-31 02:39:00
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