Govt decision to announce public holiday on People’s War Day draws flak

Published On: February 13, 2023 08:00 AM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, Feb 12: The decision of the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government to declare a public holiday on Monday to mark the People's War Day has drawn severe backlash. A cabinet meeting held on Sunday took a decision to this effect.

Prime Minister's media expert Manahari Timilsina said that the government took the decision to give a public holiday on Monday in recognition of the contributions made by the People’s War in Nepal’s political transformation.

Although mainstream political parties have not officially commented anything about the decision, civil society groups have expressed serious objection to the government's decision. "This controversial decision is against the fundamental value of democracy and non-violence," said Human Rights and Peace Society (HURPES) in a statement on Sunday.

Senior Advocate Bhimarjun Acharya termed the government's decision an example of excessive abuse of power and an arbitrary move. "Armed conflict can never be a day to be celebrated for a civilized society and the state based on rule of law," he said.

While stating that the decision of the government to declare a day that marked the beginning of killing of a Nepali by fellow Nepali is objectionable, Acharya further said that the decision has dashed hopes of thousands of victims of Maoist conflict to get justice.

The People’s War waged by the Maoist party from February 13, 1996 had ended after signing the Comprehensive Peace Accord on November 21, 2006. The political transformation in Nepal was made possible on the basis of the People’s War, while republic, federalism, inclusive democracy and social justice and other achievements were established in the country after the People’s War and People’s Movement-II.

The Maoist Centre, which led the People’s War, marks the day as the People’s War Day each year. During the constitution drafting process, mainstream parties including Nepali Congress and CPN-UML had even rejected recognizing even ‘People’s War’ and making its reference in the constitution. Civil society groups and Maoist conflict victims have announced a protest against the decision in Kathmandu on Monday.