California is now the third state in the United States to recognize Diwali as a state holiday. On October 7th, Governor Newsom signed AB 268, which commemorates “The Festival of Lights” for Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists in California.
AB 268 authorizes K-12 schools and community colleges to close for Diwali, as well as authorizes state and school employees to take the day off to celebrate at home with their families.
Additionally, AB 268 encourages the State Board of Education to adopt a model curriculum guide for exercises related to Diwali to educate students about its significance, thereby promoting religious understanding and tolerance in schools. These additional provisions make the California legislation for Diwali the most robust and inclusive in the country.
AB 268 was co-authored by Assemblymembers Ash Kalra and Darshana Patel. Previously, Assemblymember Kalra has spearheaded one-year commemorative resolutions to recognize Diwali for the last eight years, but with his initiative, AB 268 makes Diwali a permanent state holiday.
“We are grateful to Assemblymember Kalra and Assemblymember Patel for their leadership on this initiative, as well as the overwhelming support from the community,” stated managing director of HAF, Samir Kalra. “The provisions that allow students to take the day off without repercussion and state employees to take paid leave are important leaps forward in making Diwali truly accessible to those who celebrate.”
HAF worked directly with the bill authors, providing testimony at legislative committee hearings, submitting support letters, and spearheading a coalition of interfaith organizations to support this bill. AB 268 sets a new precedent for the integration of Diwali into the holiday season in California. HAF and the Hindu American community hopes to see other states follow California’s example.
AB 268 will go into effect on January 1, 2026.