State holidays: Diwali.

Assembly Members Kalra and Patel have put forward legislation to establish Diwali as a California state holiday, authorizing public schools and community colleges to close for the observance while allowing state employees to take paid time off. The bill designates Diwali on the 15th day of Kartik in the Hindu lunar calendar.

The legislation amends multiple state codes to integrate Diwali into California's holiday framework. Public schools and community colleges may close on Diwali if their governing boards reach agreements with employee representatives through memorandums of understanding. State employees can elect to take the day as paid time off, with those required to work receiving standard holiday compensation. The bill maintains judicial operations by excluding Diwali from court holidays.

The bill's findings note Diwali's cultural significance across multiple faiths. For Hindus, the festival symbolizes light overcoming darkness through rows of oil lamps. Sikhs observe it as Bandi Chhor Divas marking the release of Guru Hargobind, while Jains commemorate Mahavira's attainment of moksha. Buddhist communities, particularly Newar Buddhists, celebrate it as Ashok Vijayadashami when Emperor Ashoka embraced Buddhism.