California declares Diwali an official state holiday

New York: California has officially designated Diwali as a state holiday, becoming the third US state to recognize the Indian festival of lights.

Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Tuesday that he had signed into law Assembly Bill 268, introduced by Assembly member Ash Kalra, which makes Diwali an official holiday in the state. The bill had cleared both houses of the legislature in September.

“California is home to the largest population of Indian Americans, and 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 ,” Kalra said earlier, noting that the festival represents goodwill, peace and renewal.

California joins Pennsylvania, which recognized Diwali as a state holiday in 2024, and Connecticut, which followed earlier this year. In New York City, Diwali has already been declared holiday for public schools.

The decision was widely welcomed by Indian-American community leaders and diaspora organizations. Indiaspora, a leading nonprofit, described the move as a “a major milestone in the ongoing journey toward greater cultural inclusion and visibility”. Its founder MR Rangaswami said the recognition honored generations of Indian Americans who have contributed to California’s growth and diversity.

“Governor Newsom’s leadership reflects the inclusive spirit our nation needs today. Recognizing Diwali as a state holiday affirms that diversity is truly our strength,” Rangaswami said, congratulating Kalra and co-author Assembly member Dr Darshana Patel.

Prominent Silicon Valley entrepreneur Ajay Bhutoria called the announcement a “radiant milestone” and said it reflected the contributions of nearly one million South Asians in California. “Diwali, our cherished Festival of Lights, embodies the eternal victory of hope over hardship, unity over division, and knowledge over ignorance—a message that resonates deeply with the nearly one million South Asians who call California home and contribute immensely to its innovation, economy, and spirit,” he said.

He added that granting state employees paid leave and allowing schools to observe the day would enable families to celebrate fully with traditions such as lighting diyas, creating rangoli and sharing stories of renewal.

Indiaspora noted that for Indian Americans in California, this recognition marks a moment of immense pride and a powerful affirmation of their role in shaping the state’s cultural and civic fabric.