Followers of the Kirant faith have demanded that the government announce a public holiday throughout the country on the birth anniversary of Phalgunanda Lingden, the pioneer preacher of Kirat religion.

The government has declared the birth anniversary of Phalgunanda Lingden on Kattik 25 which falls on November 11 this year as a public holiday for the the followers of the Kirat religion only.

However, the Association for the Promotion of the Kirat Religion and Literature has demanded that the government should give a public holiday throughout the country on the occasion.

Association central president Degendra Singh Thegim said it is not appropriate to give a public holiday only to the followers of the Kirat religion on the birth anniversary of the nation icon, the Mahaguru Phalgunada, rather the government should declare the day a public holiday throughout the country.

Meanwhile, the Association has stated that preparations have been made to celebrate the 133rd birth anniversary of Mahaguru Phalgunanda in Damak of Jhapa district for two days on November 10 and 11 amidst special programmes. RSS