Source: www.thespec.com
HAMILTON, CANADA, July 21, 2010: Hamilton’s Hindu and Sikh communities are looking to change the city’s fireworks bylaw to accommodate for Diwali, the “festival of lights.” While thousands of Hamiltonians every year celebrate the Hindu holiday, the current bylaw restricts the use and sale of fireworks to Victoria Day, Canada Day and the two days before and after those holidays.
Local community members are looking to change what they are calling an outdated regulation. “The definition is called ‘festival of lights.’ Without that component of light, Diwali has no or very little meaning,” said Nithy Ananth, president of the Hindu Samaj Temple of Hamilton and Region. “I think people who (have cultural celebrations) … make the Canadian culture rich,” said Budh Dhillon, who is a member of the Baba Budha Ji Gursikh Temple. “It’s safe to have firecrackers on Victoria Day. It’s safe to have them on Canada Day. Why can’t we have them on another day?”