Sacramento (California), USA, September 17 (HS): The California Legislature last week passed Bill 268, which seeks to declare Diwali as a state holiday. Once Governor Gavin Newsom signs the measure, Diwali will be included in the state’s official list of public holidays. With this step, California could become the third U.S. state after Pennsylvania and Connecticut to declare Diwali an official holiday.
According to a report published in the Los Angeles Times, the bill will allow community colleges and public schools to remain closed on Diwali. State employees will have the option to take leave on the festival day. Under the proposed law, some employees of community colleges and public schools will be entitled to paid leave. Currently, California observes 11 official state holidays, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day, César Chávez Day, Labor Day, and Veterans Day.
For the bill to become law, Governor Newsom must sign it before October 12. The bill was introduced by Assemblymember Ash Kalra (Democrat–San Jose), who stated, “Declaring Diwali an official state holiday will not only recognize the religious and historical significance of this festival but also provide Indian Americans and people from other communities an opportunity to participate in one of the world’s oldest religious celebrations.”
According to the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art, Diwali is a five-day festival traditionally celebrated in India in October or November. Indian diaspora communities abroad also mark the occasion with grandeur.
The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) notes that households, businesses, temples, and public spaces are adorned with lamps to invoke the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi. The festival of lights involves meeting family, friends, and community members, along with the exchange of gifts and sweets. This year, the Diwali festivities will begin on October 20.
California is home to the largest South Asian population in the United States, with Los Angeles ranking as the fourth-largest metropolitan area by population. Pennsylvania became the first U.S. state to declare an official Diwali holiday in 2024, followed this year by Connecticut. Meanwhile, New Jersey’s Department of Education has granted students leave on Diwali. New York City public schools also observe a holiday on Diwali, a system implemented in 2023.
For years, Indian Americans in California have advocated for a Diwali holiday. The recent passage of the bill has sparked celebration in the community. Sharing the news, a Hindu leader remarked that California may soon officially grant Diwali holiday status, pending the governor’s approval. Support groups such as the Hindu American Foundation (HAF), along with organizations like the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS), have worked consistently in recent years to make this possible. They expressed hope that the new measure would empower the community to contribute further toward cultural and social harmony.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
