No Diwali Holiday In California As Court Strikes Down Governor Gavin's Order

A California court has issued a ruling to strike down the order that established Diwali as a recognized holiday within the state. The legal decision invalidates the framework that permitted public institutions to close for the South Asian festival of lights, citing conflicts with existing state mandates.

Under the contested law, the holiday was not a mandatory paid day off for the general private-sector workforce. Instead, it provided a pathway for eligible state employees to utilize paid leave if they chose to celebrate, while granting public schools and community colleges the local authority to suspend classes.

Legal analysts suggest the ruling centers on the specific administrative powers used to implement the holiday schedule. For now, the optional closures and specific leave provisions associated with the festival have been suspended as the state considers its legal options. Source name: The Economic Times