KATHMANDU, Oct 28: The All Nepal National Free Students Union (ANNFSU), a student’s wing of the CPN-UML, on Friday said it would launch a strong agitation if the government did not withdraw its decision to observe a public holiday during the Indian President Pranab Mukherjee’s upcoming state visit to Nepal.

Issuing a press statement today, the ANNFSU said, “We urge the government to rectify its decision to observe a public holiday during the Indian President’s upcoming visit.  If the decision is not rectified, we will launch stringent protests.”

"Our national dignity has been undermined by the government’s decision to observe a public holiday in honor of the President of India that imposed blockade on Nepal breaching the international trade and treaty after Nepal did not promulgate the constitution as per the southern neighbor’s interest," the ANNFSU said in the statement.

The ANNFSU has also criticized the decision saying that it is an indication of self-defeatism which will send negative message to the international community, reads the statement.