Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada Saturday, called on all schools in Delaware to close on Oct. 24 for Diwalli, a major festival celebrated by Hindus, among others.

Mr. Zed said that it is not fair for Hindu pupils at most of the Delaware schools to not be able to celebrate the occasion with their families, while students get days off to commemorate holidays of other religions.

Mr. Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, stated that celebrating Diwali as a holiday in Delaware schools would be a step in the positive direction, in view of the substantial number of Hindu students at schools around the state. Holidays of all major religions should be honored, and no one should be penalized for practicing their religion, Mr. Zed said, adding that it is important to meet the religious and spiritual needs of Hindu pupils.

Hinduism is rich in festivals and religious festivals are very dear and sacred to Hindus, Mr. Zed said. Diwali, the festival of lights, aims at dispelling the darkness and lighting up the lives and symbolizes the victory of good over evil.

Mr. Zed urged Delaware Gov. John Carney, Education Secretary Mark A. Holodick and State Board of Education President Whitney Sweeney to work toward adding Diwali as an official holiday in all the state’s public schools, and persuading the private-charter-independent-parochial schools to follow.

Mr. Zed also thanked Brandywine School District Superintendent Lincoln Hohler and Board President John Skrobot III for understanding the concerns of the Hindu community by keeping schools closed on Diwali.