Court Strikes Down California's Diwali State Holiday Recognition

California made Diwali an official holiday so people who celebrate it could enjoy the Festival of Lights.

The governor signed the law, and it let state workers take a paid day off and let some schools close for the celebration.

But a judge said the law was not fair because it gave special treatment to one religion.

In the United States, the government is not allowed to pick favorite religions.

So the judge cancelled large parts of the holiday law.

Now schools and workers are not sure whether they can get the day off for Diwali this year.

Many people in the Indian American community are disappointed and want the holiday to stay.

They may ask a higher court to change the decision, or write a new law with different words.

Meanwhile, Diwali is still celebrated by millions of people around the world this fall.