Ashoka’s executive board released a statement on Monday night outlining their plans for accountability after public outcry about this year’s Diwali skit.

The Association of Black Students continued their 2020 Black History Month programming series, Feb. 25 in the Orchid Room, with the third annual “Black Talks, Black Thoughts,” which offered students and faculty the opportunity to give a 10 minute presentation on any topic of their choosing.

Ekta, a South Asian discussion group, hosted “Stop Genocide in India: A Student Demonstration,” to raise Washington University’s awareness of rising fascism and Islamophobia overseas Feb. 20.

Dancing, expression, fashion, music and skits will all combine at the Diwali showcase this weekend, Nov. 8 and 9. Diwali, a typically Hindu festival celebrated by individuals across the South Asian diaspora, started on Sunday, and the holiday will last throughout this week. Ashoka, the South Asian Student Association at Washington University, puts on their annual showcase of the same name.

Student Union confirmed this year’s official speaker list for the Trending Topics Speaker Series, taking an unprecedented number of proposed speakers off the waitlist.

“Unbreakable Kaira Shree” was exhibited this past weekend at Edison Theatre and featured performances from Wash. U. groups, as well as a fashion show and a philanthropy presentation.

April is South Asian Heritage Month, and Washington University Ashoka is celebrating with the theme “Representation: South Asian Creators Going Against the Grain” and Washington University’s College Prep Program Graduation will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 22 in Emerson Auditorium.

Diwali, a Hindu holiday celebrated across India and throughout South Asia as the rise of light over darkness and good over evil, is taking on its 25th year as a schoolwide cultural performance put on by Ashoka, a South Asian student association.

The prevailing of good over evil, a sense of community and the recognition of the good things we have in our lives: These are what one of Ashoka’s cultural chairs, junior Saniya Suri, cites as the main themes of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. Ashoka, Washington University’s South Asian Cultural Group, will present Wash. U.’s 27th Diwali performance this upcoming weekend at Edison Theatre, featuring a variety of dance and musical acts as well as a skit and fashion show.

Diwali, a holiday also known as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by a variety of different religions and sects, but is largely considered a South Asian festival. One of Diwali’s biggest themes is the idea of light beating out dark and good prevailing over evil.