This measure would recognize August 15, 2026, as Indias Independence Day and urge all Californians to join in celebrating Indias independence.

WHEREAS, As the day began on August 15, 1947, at the stroke of midnight, the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, gave his famous Tryst with Destiny speech proclaiming Indias independence; and

WHEREAS, The Tryst with Destiny speech captured the essence of the nonviolent Indian freedom struggle against British colonial rule in India; and

WHEREAS, Indias Independence Day is one of the most important national holidays in India. The biggest event of the day takes place in Delhi, where the Prime Minister hoists the national flag at the Red Fort, delivers a nationally televised speech that highlights the achievements of the government, discusses current issues and future plans for progress, and pays tribute to the leaders of Indias struggle for freedom; and

WHEREAS, Indias Independence Day is celebrated on August 15 of each year to commemorate its independence. It was celebrated by 400,000,000 Indians in 1947 and today is celebrated by over 1,000,000,000 people living in India and many people living in other parts of the world, including California, which is home to the largest population of Asian Indians in the United States; and

WHEREAS, The local community of people in California who hail from India, or with ancestral ties to India, continually demonstrate the greatness and beauty of their homeland, and their contributions are notable and reflect success in many industries and community activism; and

WHEREAS, Ever since August 15, 1947, Indias nonviolent struggle for freedom, its rejection of terrorism and extremism, and its belief in democracy, tolerance, and the rule of law have been an inspiration and beacon of hope for people around the world; and

WHEREAS, Indias example has had a profound effect on many countries, including the United States. Leaders of our civil rights movement, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., spoke about the debt they owed to Mahatma Gandhi. Ties between our two peoples have never been stronger. The over 3,000,000 members of the Indian American community are living examples of the bonds that bind our nations together, and their accomplishments have become well-known and admired in both countries; and

WHEREAS, In 2023, India became the worlds most populous country, with over 1,438,000,000 people. India has long been the worlds largest democracy by population, with more than 1,000,000,000 citizens who are eligible to vote; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby recognizes August 15, 2026, as Indias Independence Day and urges all Californians to join in celebrating Indias independence; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

 THIRD READING 

Bill No: ACR 199

Author: Kalra (D) and Patel (D)

Introduced: 5/6/26

Vote: 21

SUBJECT: India’s Independence Day

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This resolution recognizes August 15, 2026, as India’s Independence Day and urge all Californians to join in celebrating India’s independence.

ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. India’s Independence Day is celebrated on August 15 of each year to commemorate its independence. It was celebrated by 400 million Indians in 1947 and today is celebrated by over one billion people living in India and many people living in other parts of the world, including California, which is home to the largest population of Asian Indians in the United States.
2. India’s Independence Day is one of the most important national holidays in India. The biggest event of the day takes place in Delhi, where the Prime Minister hoists the national flag at the Red Fort, delivers a nationally televised speech that highlights the achievements of the government, discusses current issues and future plans for progress, and pays tribute to the leaders of India’s struggle for freedom.
3. The local community of people in California who hail from India, or with ancestral ties to India, continually demonstrate the greatness and beauty of their homeland, and their contributions are notable and reflect success in many industries and community activism.
4. Ever since August 15, 1947, India’s nonviolent struggle for freedom, its rejection of terrorism and extremism, and its belief in democracy, tolerance, and the rule of law have been an inspiration and beacon of hope for people around the world.

This resolution recognizes August 15, 2026, as India’s Independence Day and urges all Californians to join in celebrating India’s independence.

Related/Prior Legislation

ACR 100 (Kalra, 2025) – Held on inactive file.

ACR 214 (Kalra, Resolution Chapter 170, Statutes of 2024)

ACR 90 (Kalra, Resolution Chapter 154, Statutes of 2023)

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 8/11/26)

None received

OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/11/26)

None received

Prepared by: Hunter Flynn / SFA / (916) 651-4171

8/12/26 14:01:52

**** END ****

ASSEMBLY THIRD READING

ATR Bill Id:ACR 199

Author:(Kalra and Patel)

As Introduced Ver:May 6, 2026

Majority vote

SUMMARY

Recognizes August 15, 2026, as India's Independence Day; and urges all Californians to join in celebrating India's independence.

Major Provisions

1. As the day began on August 15, 1947, at the stroke of midnight, the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, gave his famous Tryst with Destiny speech proclaiming India's independence. The Tryst with Destiny speech captured the essence of the nonviolent Indian freedom struggle against British colonial rule in India.
2. India's Independence Day is one of the most important national holidays in India. The biggest event of the day takes place in Delhi where the Prime Minister hoists the national flag at the Red Fort, delivers a nationally televised speech that highlights the achievements of the government, discusses current issues and future plans for progress, and pays tribute to the leaders of India's struggle for freedom.
3. India's Independence Day is celebrated on August 15 of each year to commemorate its independence. It was celebrated by 400 million Indians in 1947 and today is celebrated by over one billion people living in India, and many people living in other parts of the world, including California, which is home to the largest population of Asian Indians in the United States.
4. Ever since August 15, 1947, India's nonviolent struggle for freedom, its rejection of terrorism and extremism, and its belief in democracy, tolerance, and the rule of law have been an inspiration and beacon of hope for people around the world.
5. India's example has had a profound effect on many countries, including the United States. The over three million members of the Indian American community are living examples of the bonds that bind our nations together and their accomplishments have become well-known and admired in both countries.

COMMENTS

According to the Author

ACR 199 highlights the positive ties between India and United States, as both share strong values in democracy. This is also an opportunity to recognize India's heritage and history as California is home to many Indian Americans that make significant contributions to our communities.

Arguments in Support

None on file

Arguments in Opposition

None on file

FISCAL COMMENTS

No fiscal impact. This resolution is keyed non-fiscal by Legislative Counsel.

VOTES

ASM RULES: 8-0-1

YES: Pacheco, Dixon, Garcia, Mark González, Irwin, Ta, Michelle Rodriguez, Sanchez

ABS, ABST OR NV: Zbur

UPDATED

VERSION: May 6, 2026

CONSULTANT: Michael Erke / RLS. / (916) 319-2800 FN: 0003264

Date of Hearing: June 29, 2026

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON RULES

Blanca Pacheco, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:ACR 199 (

Author:Kalra) – As Introduced Ver:May 6, 2026

SUBJECT: India’s Independence Day.

SUMMARY: Recognizes August 15, 2026, as India’s Independence Day; and, urges all Californians to join in celebrating India’s independence. Specifically, this resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. As the day began on August 15, 1947, at the stroke of midnight, the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, gave his famous Tryst with Destiny speech proclaiming India’s independence. The Tryst with Destiny speech captured the essence of the nonviolent Indian freedom struggle against British colonial rule in India.
2. India’s Independence Day is one of the most important national holidays in India. The biggest event of the day takes place in Delhi where the Prime Minister hoists the national flag at the Red Fort, delivers a nationally televised speech that highlights the achievements of the government, discusses current issues and future plans for progress, and pays tribute to the leaders of India’s struggle for freedom.
3. India’s Independence Day is celebrated on August 15 of each year to commemorate its independence. It was celebrated by 400 million Indians in 1947 and today is celebrated by over one billion people living in India, and many people living in other parts of the world, including California, which is home to the largest population of Asian Indians in the United States.
4. Ever since August 15, 1947, India’s nonviolent struggle for freedom, its rejection of terrorism and extremism, and its belief in democracy, tolerance, and the rule of law have been an inspiration and beacon of hope for people around the world.
5. India’s example has had a profound effect on many countries, including the United States. The over three million members of the Indian American community are living examples of the bonds that bind our nations together and their accomplishments have become well-known and admired in both countries.

FISCAL EFFECT: This resolution is keyed non-fiscal by Legislative Counsel.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

None on file

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Michael Erke / RLS. / (916) 319-2800