California Officially Recognizes Diwali as State Holiday

 California has made history by officially recognizing Diwali as a state holiday. Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 268 (AB 268) into law on October 6, granting public schools, community colleges, and state employees the option to observe the Festival of Lights with paid time off.

The landmark decision is a momentous occasion for the nearly one million South Asians living in California and reflects the state’s ongoing commitment to diversity, inclusion, and cultural recognition.

Lawmakers Celebrate Cultural Recognition
Assemblymember Ash Kalra, the first Indian American elected to the California Legislature and author of AB 268, emphasized the symbolic importance of the law. “This is more than just a new holiday on the calendar — it’s a recognition of the values that Diwali represents: hope over despair, light over darkness, and community over division,” Kalra said.

Joined by co-sponsor Assemblymember Darshana Patel, Kalra secured bipartisan support for the measure, which allows schools and colleges to close for Diwali and gives state employees the choice to take a paid holiday. “California should embrace Diwali and its diversity — not keep it hidden in darkness,” Kalra stated during the bill’s passage.

Community Response and Significance
Governor Newsom’s signature sparked celebrations across Indian American communities from Silicon Valley to Sacramento. Advocacy groups, including the Coalition of Hindus of North America, hailed the move as a long-overdue acknowledgment of the community’s cultural and spiritual contributions.

Silicon Valley entrepreneur Ajay Bhutoria, a former advisor to President Biden on the AANHPI Commission, described AB 268 as “a radiant milestone in California’s journey toward true inclusivity.” He added that the recognition allows families to fully embrace traditions such as lighting diyas, crafting rangoli, and sharing stories of renewal without the constraints of work schedules.

Bhutoria highlighted that the recognition also affirms the Indian diaspora’s contributions to California’s social and economic landscape — from technology and healthcare to education — emphasizing their enduring legacy in the state.

A Milestone for the West Coast
With this law, California joins states like Pennsylvania and Connecticut, which had previously recognized Diwali as a state holiday. The West Coast now officially honors the festival, cementing its cultural and societal importance for the Indian American community.