California: Diwali becomes state holiday; Indian American community hails move

California will officially recognise Diwali as a state holiday after governor Gavin Newsom signed a new bill on October 6, joined by celebrations among Indian American communities and recognition from legislators. The law allows public schools and community colleges to close on Diwali and lets state employees take paid time off for the festival.

The new Diwali law in California is the result of bipartisan backing and grassroots advocacy. The bill was co‑sponsored by Assemblymembers Darshana Patel and Ash Kalra, and supported by advocacy groups such as the Coalition of Hindus of North America. Under AB 268, schools and colleges may choose to close for Diwali, and state employees can elect to observe it with paid time off.

Ash Kalra, who chairs the Assembly Judiciary Committee, took to social media to celebrate Newsom’s approval of the Diwali bill, along with several others he had authored. Highlighting the progress made, Kalra noted that nine of his bills - four of which came from the Judiciary Committee - had been signed into law within a span of a few days.

“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.

California becomes the first state on the West Coast to adopt Diwali as a recognized holiday, joining states like Pennsylvania and Connecticut that have already taken similar steps.

The move was hailed by several Hindu advocacy groups and community.

Governor Newsom has now signed #AB268 into law-meaning #Diwali is added to the list of state holidays! 🪔🪔

We thank @CAgovernor for recognizing this important festival and ushering in a new era of inclusion for Hindus in California. Huge shout out to Assembly Members Darshana… pic.twitter.com/qPJfi1vjm7

— CoHNA (Coalition of Hindus of North America) (@CoHNAOfficial) October 7, 2025

Why this matters & how it works

• The law does not make courts close on Diwali; the holiday is excluded from judicial holidays.
  
• Public schools and community colleges are permitted (not mandated) to close, via agreements with employee unions.
  
• State employees can elect to take the day off with pay in recognition of Diwali, per the new amendments.
  
• Because AB 268 was signed during a regular legislative session, in the absence of a special effective date, it will likely take effect on January 1, 2026 under California’s default rules for new statutes.
  

Assemblymember Kalra, author of the bill, stated when it passed the legislature on September 23: “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.”

Kalra, the first Indian American elected to the California Legislature, represents San José’s 25th Assembly District and has long advocated for policies that celebrate cultural diversity and inclusion.