FLORIDA Senator Rick Scott has
strongly condemned Palm Bay
Councilman Chandler Langevin
for making racist remarks about
Indian Americans, calling his
statements “hateful, ignorant,
and un-American.”
The controversy erupted after
Langevin claimed that Indians in
the US “only care about enriching
India,” sparking outrage from both
political leaders and the Indian-
American community.
Senator Scott, a Republican
and former governor of Florida,
issued a sharp rebuke, saying,
“There’s no place for hate in Flor
ida. The Indian-American com
munity are proud Americans who
make our country great.” His
statement came as public anger
intensified, with hundreds of
community members attending a
Palm Bay Council meeting to de
mand Langevin’s removal.
Democratic Representative
Fendrice Driskell also con
demned the remarks, calling
them “disgusting” and evidence
of a long-standing pattern of big
otry. “Langevin has shown again
and again that he is unfit to be a
leader. I hope the good people of
Palm Bay reject him and his igno
rance,” she said.
Langevin made the inflamma
tory comments on social media,
writing: “There is not a single Indi
an in the US who cares about the
United States. They only care
about enriching India and exploit
ing the US financially.” Although
he deleted the post following
backlash, he refused to apologize,
claiming his words were directed
at “illegals or visa holders,” not In
dian-Americans. The Palm Bay
Council swiftly voted to remove
Langevin and has requested Flor
ida Governor Ron DeSantis to ap
prove his dismissal. While De
Santis has not yet commented,
the issue has reignited debate
around the H-1B visa program,
which the governor has previous
ly criticized as a “scam.”
The council meeting witnessed
a large turnout of Indian-Ameri
cans from across Florida. Many
carried placards denouncing hate
speech and calling for account
ability. Langevin, however, at
tempted to downplay the protests,
claiming “only 500 people showed
up from all around Florida.”
In a later post on X, Langevin
accused “leftists” of exploiting the
issue and claimed he was open to
“important dialogue” with Indian-
American leaders. His comments
have only deepened the backlash,
with advocacy groups urging po
litical accountability and educa
tion on cultural sensitivity. As calls
for his removal grow, the episode
highlights rising concerns about
xenophobia and political rhetoric
targeting immigrants amid ongo
ing tensions over H-1B visas and
US-India relations.
Florida senator slams
racist remarks on Indians
IN A landmark step towards cultural inclusivity,
California has officially declared Diwali as a state
holiday, becoming the third US state, after Penn
sylvania and Connecticut, to recognize the Festi
val of Lights. The move, which marks a significant
milestone for Indian Americans, was signed into
law by Governor Gavin Newsom following the pas
sage of Assembly Bill (AB) 268, introduced by As
sembly member Ash Kalra.
“California is home to the largest population of
Indian Americans, and designating Diwali as an of
ficial state holiday will uplift its message to the hun
dreds of thousands who celebrate it,” Kalra said
while introducing the bill. “Diwali brings communi
ties together with a message of goodwill, peace, and
renewal. California should embrace Diwali and its
diversity—not keep it hidden in darkness.”
The bill passed both houses of the California Leg
islature in September before reaching the Gover
nor’s desk for approval. Governor Newsom signed
the bill earlier this month, making Diwali an offi
cially recognized state holiday, allowing state em
ployees paid time off and giving schools the flexibil
ity to observe the day. Families across the state can
now celebrate with traditional activities like lighting
diyas, creating rangolis, and sharing stories of re
newal and togetherness.
The announcement has been met with wide
spread celebration among Indian American com
munities and advocacy groups. Nonprofit organiza
tion Indiaspora hailed the decision as a ‘major mile
stone’ for cultural inclusion and representation in
the United States. “With California—the nation’s
most populous state—officially recognizing Diwali,
Indian Americans celebrate a significant moment in
their journey toward greater representation,” the or
ganization said in a statement.
MR Rangaswami, Founder and Chairman of Indi
aspora, called the decision “historic,” saying it hon
ors generations of Indian Americans who have con
tributed to California’s economic and cultural
growth. “Governor Newsom’s leadership reflects the
inclusive spirit our nation needs today,” Rangaswami
added. “Recognizing Diwali as a state holiday af
firms that diversity is truly our strength.”
The Festival of Lights, celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs,
Jains, and Buddhists worldwide, symbolizes the tri
umph of light over darkness and good over evil. For
California’s more than one million Indian Ameri
cans, the holiday now represents not only a spiritual
celebration but also a moment of civic pride.
Ajay Bhutoria, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur and
philanthropist, praised the move as a “radiant mile
stone” in the state’s journey toward inclusivity. “Di
wali embodies the triumph of hope over hardship
and unity over division—a message that deeply reso
nates with the nearly one million South Asians who
call California home,” he said. “This recognition is
more than a holiday; it’s an affirmation of the dias
pora’s enduring legacy in the Golden State.”
The recognition comes amid a growing movement
across the US to acknowledge Diwali as a public
holiday. Pennsylvania became the first state to offi
cially recognize the festival in 2024, followed by Con
necticut earlier this year. Meanwhile, New York City
announced that Diwali would be a public-school
holiday starting November 2024.
Community leaders have described California’s
move as a reflection of America’s evolving multicul
tural identity. It acknowledges the contributions of
Indian Americans in sectors like technology, health
care, academia, and entrepreneurship, fields where
they play a vital role.
Bhutoria also extended his gratitude to Governor
Newsom, Assemblymember Ash Kalra, and Assem
blymember Dr Darshana Patel for their advocacy.
“Your leadership has brightened Diwali for genera
tions to come and inspired a nation to celebrate our
shared light,” he said. As Diwali gains recognition
across the United States, the celebration’s deeper
message of light, renewal, and harmony continues to
resonate. For Indian Americans in California, this
legislation marks not just a policy victory but a cul
tural moment that bridges heritage and home, illu
minating a future where every light, and every com
munity, is seen and celebrated.
California declares Diwali
an official state holiday
RECOGNITION SEEN AS HISTORIC BOOST FOR INDIAN AMERICAN IDENTITY
News
www.indiaweekly.biz • October, 2025
03
© iStock
DIVERSE GLOW: More than
one million Californians
celebrate Diwali
SPEAKING OUT:
Rick Scott
© Getty Images