Texas Governor Greg Abbott hosted Diwali 2025 celebrations at the Governor’s Mansion. Through this event, every year the Indian-American community comes together to celebrate this festival of lights. Sunday’s ceremony took place in Houston, D.C. Consul General of India Manjunath, prominent members of the Indian-American community and elected officials attended.

Governor Abbott and First Lady Cecilia Abbott, along with guests, lit the lamp, which symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Extending greetings on the occasion, the Governor praised the contribution of the Indian-American community to the state’s progress, innovation and diversity.

Diwali 2025 celebrations at the Governor’s Mansion in Austin, Texas!

Heartfelt thanks to Governor @GregAbbott_TX for continuing this beautiful tradition of celebrating Diwali with the Indo-American community, spreading the spirit of light, unity, and togetherness. … pic.twitter.com/z167q0Jdyy

— India in Houston (@cgihou) October 20, 2025

Consul General thanked Governor Abbott

Consul General Manjunath thanked Governor Abbott for his continued support and recognition of Indian culture. He said such celebrations promote understanding and strengthen the friendship between India and the United States.

Along with this, the Consul General further said that Diwali celebrations at the Governor’s Mansion have become an annual tradition in Texas, which reflects the inclusive spirit of the state and the vibrant presence of the Indian-American community in various fields.

For your information, let us tell you that Governor Abbott has been hosting Diwali celebrations since 2018. He did not host it in 2020 during the Corona period because this event was not organized due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Governor of Texas, USA, Greg Abbott banned the implementation of Islamic Sharia law in the state. Governor Greg Abbott appealed to the citizens of Texas to report it immediately if someone tries to impose Sharia law on a person or business.

Greg Abbott’s statement came after a viral video revealed from Houston. In a viral video, a Muslim cleric was appealing to local shopkeepers not to sell liquor, pig meat and lottery tickets, speaking on a loudspeaker.

What did Greg Abbott say about viral video,

Texas Governor Greg Abbott termed the incident as harassment and said that Texas would never allow people to impose any kind of religious rule in public life. Abbott shared a post on the social media platform X on Tuesday (September 9, 2025) last week. He wrote in the post, ‘I have signed some laws that ban Sharia law and Sharia compounds in Texas. No business or person should be afraid of such idiots.

I signed laws that ban sharia law and sharia compounds in texas.

No Business & No Individual Should Fear Fools like this.

If this person, or anyone, attempts to impose sharia compliance, Report it to Local Law Enforcement or the Texas Dept. of public safety. https://t.co/CV2MJITLH

– Greg Abbott (@Gregabbbott_tx) September 8, 2025

He said, “If this person or someone else tries to impose the rules of Sharia, then you should directly report it from local law enforcement agencies or Texas Department of Public Safety.”

No restriction on Sharia was formally imposed

Although there is no formal ban on Sharia in Texas, the 2017 American Lodge for American Courts (ALAC) bills prevents courts from implementing any foreign or religious law, if it opposes America’s law in any way, including Sharia law.

Muslim groups criticized the order of the governor

Groups have condemned Abbott’s statements by US President Donald Trump’s associate and Republican leader Greg Abbott, including the Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), after a ban on Sharia law in Texas. He termed Greg’s statements as misleading and said that Sharia law is related to personal religious conduct and not by civil law.

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