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Panel hears bill to recognize Diwali as state holiday and allow optional school closures
Summary
AB 268 would recognize Diwali as an official state holiday and allow public schools to close at districts’ discretion; supporters said recognition affirms diverse communities while opponents raised separation‑of‑church‑and‑state concerns. The measure was placed on call for further action.
Assemblymembers Ash Kalra and Darshana Patel presented AB 268, which would designate Diwali as an official California state holiday and authorize local school districts to close schools in recognition of the day if they choose. The authors and supporters described the bill as optional for schools and intended to promote cultural inclusion and education about the festival’s history and values.
Supporters included the Hindu American Foundation and several interfaith and civic organizations. Assemblymember Patel said the measure would tell students and families “that their traditions matter” and noted Diwali’s prominence among Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist communities in California. Support witnesses also said the bill would allow schools to deliver neutral, historically grounded instruction about the holiday without promoting religion.
Opponents — including the Church State Council speaking for some faith‑based groups — said recognizing a religious holiday as a state holiday risks entangling the government with religion and could set a precedent that favors religious observance in public policy. The author responded that the bill is permissive for schools and does not require promotion of religious practice in classrooms.
Outcome: Committee discussion concluded and the bill was placed on call for further action; members expressed bipartisan interest in continuing negotiations about how the holiday would be implemented in public schools.
