People’s War Day today, criticism of public holidays given by govt

KATHMANDU: The government has given a public holiday today on the occasion of People’s War Day.

The meeting of the Council of Ministers held on Sunday afternoon at the office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, Singha Durbar, has decided to give a public holiday today (Falgun 1 i.e Feb 13) as People’s War Day.

Appreciating the contribution made by the People’s War in Nepal’s political change, the Cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ announced a public holiday.

The civil war that started on 2052 Falgun 1 (13 Feb, 1996) was transformed into a detailed peace agreement on 2063 Mangsir 5 (21 Nov, 2006).

On the foundation of that People’s War, political change was possible in Nepal, and achievements like republic, federal system, inclusive democracy, social justice were established on the strength of people’s war and people’s movement.

The Maoist Center, the leader of the People’s War, has been celebrating the Falgun 1 (Feb 13) every year as People’s War Day.

The government has said that the government has decided to give a public holiday in respect of all the movements and revolutions in favor of change. Earlier, the government had given a public holiday on Poush 27 (Jan 11) as National Unity Day.

Today’s public holiday has been widely opposed from the state side.

Leaders/activists of the ruling party have opposed the decision. There has been strong opposition from the citizen level as well. UML protested that the ministers of ruling party RPP did not attend the meeting to decide on public holidays.