California has taken a historic step in celebrating its diverse cultural landscape by officially recognizing Diwali, the Hindu "Festival of Lights," as a statewide holiday. On October 6, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 268 into law, making California the first state on the West Coast and the third in the nation to grant this recognition, following Pennsylvania and Connecticut. The law, set to take effect on January 1, 2026, empowers public schools and community colleges to close on Diwali, allows state employees to take paid leave, and ensures students can observe the festival without academic penalty.
The move has been widely lauded by Indian American communities and cultural advocacy groups, who see it as a powerful affirmation of their heritage and contributions to California’s social fabric. According to a 2025 Pew survey, nearly 960,000 of the nation’s 4.9 million Indian Americans—about 20%—call California home, making the state a vibrant hub of South Asian culture and tradition.
Assemblymembers Ash Kalra of San Jose and Darshana Patel of San Diego, who coauthored the bill, worked in close partnership with organizations like the Coalition of Hindus of North America and the Hindu American Foundation. Their efforts ensured the law would recognize Diwali’s significance not only for Hindus but also for Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists, all of whom mark the occasion with unique customs and stories. “To have South Asian children be able to proudly celebrate and share it with others is a significant moment,” Kalra told the Associated Press, reflecting on his own experience of celebrating Diwali in relative isolation as a child.
The law’s provisions are both practical and symbolic. Schools and colleges are permitted—but not required—to close for Diwali, with closures negotiated through agreements with employee unions. State employees can elect to take the day off with pay, and public school students will receive an excused absence to celebrate the holiday. Notably, the law does not apply to the courts, which will remain open on Diwali.
For many, this recognition is about much more than adding a date to the calendar. It represents a long-awaited acknowledgment of the values Diwali embodies: the triumph of light over darkness, hope over despair, and community over division. Assemblymember Kalra, the first Indian American elected to the California Legislature, emphasized this point when the bill passed the legislature: “Designating Diwali as an official 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. Diwali brings communities together with the message of goodwill, peace, and shared sense of renewal. California should embrace Diwali and its diversity, not keep it hidden in darkness.”
Governor Newsom’s signature on the bill was met with celebrations from Silicon Valley to Sacramento, as Indian American families and community leaders expressed both pride and relief. Ajay Bhutoria, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur and former advisor to President Joe Biden on the AANHPI Commission, captured the sentiment in a statement: “Today marks a radiant milestone in California’s journey toward true inclusivity and cultural celebration. As Governor Newsom signs AB 268 into law, we honor the tireless leadership of Assemblymember Ash Kalra and Assemblymember Darshana Patel, whose vision and bipartisan collaboration have illuminated the path for this historic achievement.” Bhutoria went on to add, “This recognition is more than a holiday; it’s a powerful affirmation of the Indian diaspora’s enduring legacy in the Golden State. From tech trailblazers in Silicon Valley to healthcare heroes in Southern California, our community has woven threads of resilience and diversity into the fabric of American excellence.”
Diwali, which falls on October 20, 2025, is derived from the Sanskrit word “Deepavali,” meaning “a row of lights.” The festival is marked by the lighting of lamps to symbolize the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. While Diwali is a major festival for Hindus, it is also observed by Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists, each with their own stories and traditions. For example, Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas during Diwali, commemorating the release of Guru Hargobind from imprisonment. Across faiths, the central themes of good triumphing over evil and light over darkness unite celebrants in California and around the world.
Community leaders have underscored the importance of inclusivity in the bill’s language. Puneet Kaur Sandhu, senior state policy manager for the Sikh Coalition, noted that her organization collaborated with Assemblymember Kalra to ensure the law would be meaningful for all groups whose holidays coincide with Diwali. “It’s so meaningful that all of us in the community can take this day to celebrate,” she said, as reported by the Associated Press.
The law also encourages schools to incorporate educational activities that highlight Diwali’s cultural and spiritual significance. Samir Kalra, managing director of the Hindu American Foundation, praised these provisions, saying, “The provisions that allow students to take the day off without repercussion and state employees to take paid leave are important leaps toward making Diwali truly accessible to those who celebrate.”
California’s move has drawn attention nationwide, with advocates highlighting the broader significance for multiculturalism and civic participation. Rohit Shendrikar, board chair for the South Asian Network in Southern California, reflected on his own family’s immigrant experience: “I think about my parents’ immigrant experience when they moved here in the 1960s. I celebrate Diwali together at home with my parents and my children, who will now have the opportunity to share their traditions and customs with friends. It helps build a bond between Californians.”
Not everyone will see an immediate change—schools and colleges are not mandated to close, and the holiday does not affect the court system. But for many, the law’s greatest impact is symbolic, signaling a new era of recognition and belonging for California’s South Asian communities. The bipartisan nature of the bill’s passage, as well as its broad support from advocacy groups, underscores the growing influence and integration of these communities in the state’s public life.
As Diwali approaches on October 20, 2025, families across California are preparing to light diyas, craft rangoli, and share festive meals—this time with the knowledge that their traditions are not just tolerated, but celebrated by the state they call home. For a diverse and dynamic California, the addition of Diwali to its roster of official holidays is more than a nod to the past; it’s a bright promise for the future of inclusion and shared celebration.
