California will formally recognise Diwali as a state holiday after Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new bill on October 6, allowing public schools and community colleges to close and enabling state employees to take paid time off for the festival. The law, AB 268, was co‑sponsored by Assemblymembers Darshana Patel and Ash Kalra and backed by advocacy groups including the Coalition of Hindus of North America .
Assemblymember Ash Kalra, chair of the Assembly Judiciary Committee , took to social media to celebrate the approval. “Thank you so much @CAgovernor @GavinNewsom and to my Capitol and Judiciary Committee staff who worked tirelessly all year on these important policies that are now state law! More to come!” he wrote on X. Kalra added that designating Diwali as a state holiday “will uplift its message to the hundreds of thousands of Californians that celebrate and help introduce it to many throughout our diverse state.”
California becomes the first West Coast state to adopt Diwali as a recognised holiday, joining states such as Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Texas, which have already taken similar steps. Pennsylvania’s law, signed by Governor Josh Shapiro, designates Diwali on the 15th day of Kartik in the Hindu lunisolar calendar. While schools and government offices are not required to close, the recognition honours the cultural and spiritual significance of the festival for Hindu, Sikh, Jain, and Buddhist communities.
Diwali, the Festival of Lights, symbolises the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Its growing recognition across the United States highlights efforts to celebrate cultural diversity and the contributions of Asian American communities. In California, AB 268 is expected to take effect on January 1, 2026, under the state’s default rules for new statutes.
Assemblymember Ash Kalra, chair of the Assembly Judiciary Committee , took to social media to celebrate the approval. “Thank you so much @CAgovernor @GavinNewsom and to my Capitol and Judiciary Committee staff who worked tirelessly all year on these important policies that are now state law! More to come!” he wrote on X. Kalra added that designating Diwali as a state holiday “will uplift its message to the hundreds of thousands of Californians that celebrate and help introduce it to many throughout our diverse state.”
California becomes the first West Coast state to adopt Diwali as a recognised holiday, joining states such as Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Texas, which have already taken similar steps. Pennsylvania’s law, signed by Governor Josh Shapiro, designates Diwali on the 15th day of Kartik in the Hindu lunisolar calendar. While schools and government offices are not required to close, the recognition honours the cultural and spiritual significance of the festival for Hindu, Sikh, Jain, and Buddhist communities.
Diwali, the Festival of Lights, symbolises the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Its growing recognition across the United States highlights efforts to celebrate cultural diversity and the contributions of Asian American communities. In California, AB 268 is expected to take effect on January 1, 2026, under the state’s default rules for new statutes.
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