A California court has struck down parts of the state’s historic Diwali holiday law, less than a year after the festival was officially recognized as a state holiday, according to the Hindu American Foundation (HAF).HAF said the ruling focuses on how the legislation describes the religious significance of Diwali, rather than its broader aim of allowing students and staff to observe the festival without having to choose between their faith and their responsibilities.California officially recognized Diwali as a state holiday in October 2025 after Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation introduced by Assemblyman Ash Kalra.
This step made California the third US state, after Pennsylvania and Connecticut, to officially recognize the festival.The law did not make Diwali a mandatory paid public holiday. Instead, it allowed eligible state employees to use paid leave to observe the festival, while giving public schools and community colleges the option of closing for the occasion.HAF said the court’s decision challenges the wording of the legislation and not its primary purpose.
“The ruling focused on the language of the law describing the religious significance of Diwali, rather than the practical purpose of the holiday,” the organization said.The group added that it is monitoring the issue and will continue to support efforts to ensure that members of the American Hindu community are able to celebrate Diwali.Diwali, widely known as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists around the world. California is home to the largest American Indian population in the United States, making official recognition of the festival particularly important to many residents
