The South Asian Student Association (SASA) presented a proposal at the Brookline School Committee (BSC) meeting on Thursday, Jan. 18, advocating for the recognition of Diwali as a Category 2 holiday. Category 2 holidays require that no homework assignments, projects, presentations or other assignments are due until at least the second class meeting after the holiday.
Diwali, one of the most significant holidays in Hinduism, is the festival of lights and symbolizes the victory of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. Many celebrate this day for the triumphant return of Lord Rama. Diwali occurs on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Hindu Calendar, so its date varies by year.
SASA member and junior Amarjot Ranu-Laverdiere started the presentation by describing the significance of Diwali. She said the holiday is celebrated through various religious and familial activities.
“The [holiday’s] meaning and celebration are different for everyone,” Ranu-Laverdiere said. “But in general, people get together with friends and family; they pray, they cook, they eat, they light Diyas, they do Rangoli, they exchange gifts and they light fireworks.”
The next speaker was SASA co-president and senior Dhevin Nahata, who said Diwali’s global presence is another reason why the holiday deserves to be Category 2.
“More than a billion people worldwide celebrate it, which includes more than 6 million people in the U.S.,” Nahata said. “People across many different faiths celebrate it; Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Muslims.”
The next part of the presentation included a video, made in collaboration with Student Council, of SASA members sharing why they believe Diwali should be a Category 2 holiday.
SASA member and sophomore Aradhya Jalan said in the video that having Diwali become a Category 2 holiday would relieve a lot of stress.
“I ask for extensions on all my work during the holiday, so I can’t even fully enjoy the holiday when I’m stressing out about my tests and how I’m going to have to make up extra work,” Jalan said. “Having a Category 2 holiday would make it much easier for me to get to celebrate with my family without stressing out.”
The video concluded with Head of School Anthony Meyer endorsing the students’ cause.
“I wanted to make a quick video in support of the student leaders who are advocating for change in how we recognize and support students and families within the Hindu holiday of Diwali,” Meyers said. “I really appreciate their advocacy on the matter and know that the School Committee and Superintendent want to listen to the reasoning and support as much as possible.”
SASA sent out a petition to the high school community on January 17, 2024, to show support for Diwali becoming a Category 2 holiday, which more than 750 students have signed. A separate petition was sent out to the high school’s faculty, and 98 percent of teachers signed the petition in support as well.
SASA co-president and senior Saira Chander said South Asians represent a vast proportion of the high school’s student body.
“Our club alone has 80 plus members, and we have been established for three years,” Chander said. “And even despite being one of the largest student groups on campus, we only represent a fraction of the South Asian population.”
Chander said a large portion of the student body will be affected by Diwali becoming a Category 2 holiday. Additionally, she said other districts across the nation have been enacting change in recognizing Diwali because it is important to many students.
“Wellesley, Hopkinton, Westborough and Acton-Boxborough made Diwali a no-school holiday, and Newton South and Shrewsbury recently made Diwali a no-homework holiday,” Chander said.
Chander then shared one of the Brookline Public Schools goals: “Goal 5: Commitment to Equity: We are committed to eliminating barriers to educational achievement in our schools.” She said this goal wasn’t being met.
BSC chair Steven Ehrenberg said by the end of the presentation, all of his questions about Diwali and the factors of making it a Category 2 holiday had been answered.
“The fact that [the presenters] went through all the possible stakeholders that would be affected and that they already surveyed them and got their responses, that there was testimony from the Head of School—I just thought that was a perfect presentation,” Ehrenberg said.
After the proposal, Chander said she was happy the BSC liked the presentation and agreed with the SASA’s arguments.
“I didn’t think they had any reason not to support the initiative, and I am glad they thought we were well prepared,” Chander said. “I am excited to work towards leaving a lasting legacy that will enrich the educational experience of future BHS South Asian students.”
The BSC discussed whether there was a limit on the number of Category 2 holidays, and Superintendent Dr. Linus Guillory responded that there was not. The decision of whether Diwali should become a Category 2 holiday rests with Guillory. To show the School Committee’s endorsement, a motion proposed by Ehrenberg passed unanimously. The final decision is anticipated to be disclosed soon.
“I appreciate your presentation tonight and I’ll look through our files as well on how to look at the number that we have there,” Guillory said. “I’ll follow up with the school leaders as well to understand further about that impact.”
