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A big and shocking legal news is coming from the US state of California. A California court has completely cancelled the law making the holy festival of Diwali an official state holiday, terming it unconstitutional. After this decision, a round of discussions has started among the NRIs and the local community. However, the court has clearly said in its decision that this step is in no way against the cultural or religious significance of Diwali, rather it has been taken to protect the basic principles of the US Constitution.

The court explained why the Diwali holiday law was repealed.

According to the US judiciary, the primary basis for this decision is the principle of separation of church and state enshrined in the US Constitution. The court clearly held that if the government designates a specific religious festival or observance as an official public holiday, it could be legally viewed as a form of government support for a particular religion. This provision is contrary to the secular spirit of the US Constitution, which is why the law had to be struck down as not meeting the legal standard.

The confusion between cultural significance and legal norms

California is home to a large Indian and Asian community, for whom the festival of Diwali is a symbol of great significance and joy. Declaring Diwali an official holiday in the state sparked widespread joy among Indian immigrants, but constitutional provisions and religious neutrality led to the matter reaching the courts. While the court struck down the law establishing this special holiday, members of the Indian community in the United States are still free to celebrate the festival with traditional fervor and keep their culture alive.