The country thrives on its immigrant roots.
California could soon become the latest U.S. state to formally recognise Diwali as a statewide holiday, following the passing of a historic Assembly Bill.
Last week, lawmakers in California approved Assembly Bill 268, which seeks to add Diwali, also known as Deepavali, to the state’s official list of holidays.
The bill would permit community colleges and public schools to close on Diwali.
It would also give state employees the option to take the day off.
In some cases, public school and community college employees would receive paid leave, ensuring that South Asian communities could celebrate the festival without restrictions.
California currently has 11 official state holidays, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Cesar Chavez Day, Labor Day and Veterans Day.
Diwali would become the twelfth.
For the legislation to become law, Governor Gavin Newsom must sign the bill before October 12.
His office has not yet commented on the proposal.
Assembly member Ash Kalra, who introduced the bill, stressed its cultural significance, saying it acknowledges Diwali’s “religious and historical importance” and allows the diaspora to celebrate freely.
Kalra added that the recognition highlights Diwali as “one of the world’s oldest religious holidays,” celebrated by millions of people across faiths and communities.
Diwali is a five-day celebration marking the Hindu New Year and the end of the harvest season, usually falling in October or November.
The festival honours Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and abundance.
Families light diyas and place rows of lamps to invite blessings into their homes.
It is also a period of strengthening relationships, with communities exchanging gifts, sweets and hosting gatherings with friends and family.
This year, Diwali begins on October 20.
Shakeel Syed, executive director of the South Asian Network of Southern California, said the bill represents an important step towards recognising South Asians in mainstream American life.
He explained it is a way for second and third-generation South Asians to feel part of society, particularly in educational spaces where identity often feels split.
California has the largest South Asian population in the country.
Los Angeles alone has the fourth-largest metropolitan South Asian community nationwide, highlighting the bill’s impact.
Other states have also embraced Diwali in recent years.
Pennsylvania became the first to designate it a holiday in 2024, followed by Connecticut in 2025.
New Jersey allows students to observe Diwali by taking absences from school, while New York City closes its public schools on the festival day.
Syed emphasised that such moves challenge stereotypes of immigrants as “permanent foreigners” and show that America values its diverse communities equally.
He applauded California’s decision, saying it sends a national message that the country thrives on its immigrant roots and should celebrate that heritage collectively.
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