US Judge Blocks California's Diwali Holiday Legislation

The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge John A. Doe in Sacramento, targeted Assembly Bill 268, which had declared Diwali a state holiday. The judge found that the law's language, which described Diwali as a 'day of prayer and reflection,' improperly endorsed a specific religious practice, breaching the separation of church and state.

The lawsuit was filed by the California Secular Alliance, a nonprofit that advocates for the separation of religion and government. The group argued that the law's preamble, which detailed the Hindu festival's religious significance, went beyond a mere acknowledgment of cultural diversity.

In his opinion, Judge Doe wrote that while the state can recognize cultural events, it cannot 'single out one faith's holy day for special legal status.' He allowed the holiday to remain on the calendar but ordered the removal of the religious language from the statute.

State lawmakers, who passed the bill with bipartisan support in 2023, are expected to amend the law to align with the court's ruling. The California Legislative Hindu Caucus, which championed the bill, expressed disappointment but said it would work to preserve the holiday's intent.

The decision comes as other states, including New York and Texas, have also considered Diwali holidays, and legal experts say the ruling could influence how those proposals are drafted to avoid similar challenges.