COLUMBUS, Ohio (Diya TV) — Hindu parents across Ohio are facing a fast-approaching deadline to ensure their children can take excused absences for Diwali and two additional Hindu holidays during the school year. Under a new law, families must submit written requests to school principals within 14 school days of the academic year starting. For many, the cutoff comes this week.
The requirement comes from Senate Bill 49, also called the Religious Expression Days Act, or R.E.D. Act. The law gives students the right to miss school for religious holidays if parents notify schools on time. Each family can select up to three days, including Diwali and two other Hindu observances.
Former Ohio State Sen. Niraj Antani, who co-sponsored the legislation, explained the process. Parents must provide the dates of the holidays in writing to their child’s principal within the 14-day window. Notices may be submitted electronically or on paper, depending on school district policies. Families are encouraged to check local guidelines to make sure their requests meet requirements.
For example, if a district started classes on Aug. 20, the deadline for requests would be Sept. 10. Parents who miss the deadline risk losing the ability for their children to take the holidays off this year.
The new policy is considered a milestone for Hindu families in Ohio. Antani said every Hindu student will now be able to celebrate Diwali without worrying about school absences. “This will begin in 2025 and continue for the rest of history,” he said. He added that the law “surpasses any other school district in the nation” by allowing students to select two additional holidays beyond Diwali.
To help schools understand the calendar, Antani submitted a list of major Hindu festivals to the Ohio Department of Education. The list includes Krishna Janmashtami in August and Vaisakhi in April, among others. However, parents may choose other holidays that hold personal importance.
Ohio made history in December 2024 when lawmakers passed House Bill 214, making it the first state in the country to guarantee Hindu students the right to miss school for Diwali. Antani, the youngest Hindu ever elected to the Ohio Legislature, called the measure “an incredible victory for Hindus in Ohio.”
He emphasized that the law reflects the state’s recognition of the growing Hindu community and its traditions. “This is a strong step toward honoring religious diversity,” Antani said.
The Hindu American Foundation recently posted a reminder on X, urging parents to act before deadlines pass. The message read: “Ohio Hindu parents: Under SB 49 (R.E.D. Act), students can celebrate Diwali & 2 Hindu holidays at home, but you must request the days off within 14 days of school starting. For many, the deadline is THIS WEEK.”
Community leaders stress that parents must take immediate steps to secure the excused absences. Without proper notice, schools are not required to grant the days off.
The legislation has been praised as one of the most inclusive religious accommodation laws in the nation. By granting students the right to take off not only for Diwali but also for two other holidays, Ohio sets a precedent other states may follow.
For Hindu families, the recognition means children can celebrate sacred traditions with their loved ones without penalty. It also highlights the importance of cultural understanding in public schools.
As Ohio students return to classrooms this fall, parents are urged to confirm district policies and file requests promptly. Meeting the deadline ensures that children will be able to honor Diwali and other Hindu holidays with full support from their schools.
