Assembly committee hears bill to add Diwali as California state holiday
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Summary
Assemblymembers Ash Kalra and Darshana Patel presented AB 268 to add Diwali to California's state holiday calendar; supporters said the recognition would reflect the state's South Asian population and allow schools and state workers to observe the day.
Assemblymember Ash Kalra and Assemblymember Darshana Patel introduced Assembly Bill 268 on Jan. 30 during the Governmental Organization Committee hearing to add Diwali as an official state holiday in California. The bill would allow public schools to elect to close and permit state workers to use one of their personal holidays in observance of Diwali.
Kalra said Diwali is “a festival of great significance to Indian Americans and South Asian Americans,” observed by Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains and generally falling in October or early November per the Hindu lunar calendar. He noted that other states have taken similar steps, including Pennsylvania and New York City school closures, and argued California’s large Indian American population supports recognizing the holiday.
Assemblymember Darshana Patel described personal memories of family celebrations and urged the committee to “ensure that all Californians see themselves reflected in our state's holiday calendar.” Supporters from community organizations and residents testified in favor of the bill, saying recognition would be an act of inclusion and representation for Hindu Americans and other communities that celebrate Diwali.
No witnesses registered opposition. The committee moved AB 268 out of the Governmental Organization Committee to the Assembly Committee on Public Employees and Retirement with recorded ayes during the roll call. The committee left the roll open to allow additional members to register votes.