The California State Assembly has approved AB 268, a bill that formally recognizes Diwali, the festival of lights, as a state holiday.

The legislation, introduced on January 17, 2025, by Assemblymembers Darshana Patel, Ph.D., and Ash Kalra, passed on September 10 and was enrolled on September 15.

If signed into law, the measure will add Diwali to the list of official state holidays. It will authorize public schools and community colleges to close on Diwali and allow state employees, as well as certain educational employees, to take paid time off in observance of the holiday. The bill also permits schools and institutions statewide to conduct educational and cultural activities highlighting the significance of Diwali.

While the legislation includes Diwali in the roster of state holidays, it specifically excludes it from being designated as a judicial holiday, consistent with current law for other observances such as Admission Day and Columbus Day.

The bill text emphasizes the cultural, historical, and religious importance of Diwali:

• Diwali, celebrated annually by Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains, is one of the world’s oldest continuing religious festivals and holds deep significance for Indian American and South Asian American communities.
• The term “Diwali” is derived from the Sanskrit word “Deepavali,” meaning “a row of lamps.”
• The festival is marked by lighting small oil lamps, symbolizing knowledge, truth, and the triumph of good over evil.
• For Hindus, it represents the victory of light over darkness and the destruction of negative qualities such as anger, greed, and ignorance.
• For Sikhs, it coincides with Bandi Chhor Divas, commemorating the release of Guru Hargobind from captivity.
• For Jains, it marks the attainment of moksha (liberation) by Lord Mahavira in 527 B.C.
• For Buddhists, particularly Newar Buddhists, it is observed as Ashok Vijayadashami, the day Emperor Ashoka embraced Buddhism.

Welcoming the bill’s passage, the Hindu American Foundation praised the lawmakers for their leadership. The organization congratulated Patel and Kalra “for leading this effort and bringing Diwali recognition one step closer.”

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