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California Assembly moves to recognize Diwali as state holiday
If enacted, AB 268 would authorize public schools and community colleges to close in observance of Diwali.
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Malvika Choudhary - Thu, 05, Jun 2025
- 15:02 EDT
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California State Assembly / LinkedIn
The California State Assembly unanimously passed Assembly Bill 268, which seeks to designate Diwali as an official state holiday.
Introduced by Assemblymember Ash Kalra and co-led by Assemblymember Darshana Patel—California’s first two Hindu American legislators—AB 268 marks a significant step toward institutional recognition of the Festival of Lights. The bill received overwhelming bipartisan support with a 78-0 vote.
Also Read: Florida declares October 2025 as ‘Hindu American Heritage Month’
The legislation seeks to add Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, to California's list of state holidays, aligning it with other culturally significant observances. If enacted, AB 268 would authorize public schools and community colleges to close in observance of Diwali and allow state employees to use the day as a recognized paid holiday.
CoHNA celebrates the passage of AB 268 in California State Assembly. We thank @ash_kalra and @AsmDarshana for introducing this bill to designate Diwali as an official state holiday in the state.
— CoHNA (Coalition of Hindus of North America) (@CoHNAOfficial) June 3, 2025
Kudos to the USIndianSeniors for mobilizing the Hindu community on this… pic.twitter.com/1WDIucTssh
“I’m grateful to my colleagues for their unanimous, bipartisan support of AB 268, which would have California officially recognize Diwali as a state holiday,” Kalra said following the vote.
The bill received strong backing from advocacy groups. Community members—including students and professionals—testified about the difficulty of observing Diwali without formal accommodation, often having to miss school or work. Many said the holiday’s official recognition would validate their identity and promote inclusion.
The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) credited Indian American seniors for mobilizing the community in support of the bill. “Kudos to the US Indian Seniors for mobilizing the Hindu community on this important initiative,” the organization said.
Diwali, celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists around the world, symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. In California—the state with the largest Indian American population in the U.S.—the festival has become increasingly prominent.
With the Assembly’s approval, AB 268 now moves to the State Senate for further consideration. If signed into law, California would join states like New York and Pennsylvania in officially recognizing Diwali in their public holiday calendars.
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