Dispute erupts in Rukum over ‘People’s War’ Day celebration

RUKUM: A dispute has emerged in Rukum, the birthplace of the then CPN (Maoist), regarding the celebration of ‘People’s War’ Day on Falgun 1 (February 13).

The ruling Nepali Congress and the opposition Maoist Center are at odds after the executive committees of Sanibheri Rural Municipality and Bafikot Rural Municipality decided to observe the day.

On January 24, the executive committee of Sanibheri Rural Municipality and on February 9, the executive committee of Bafikot Rural Municipality made the decision to celebrate ‘People’s War’ Day.

While Birkha Bahadur Bista, Chair of Sanibheri, is a representative from the Maoist Center, Janak Kumar Bantha Magar, Chair of Bafikot, is a Nepali Congress leader.

Following Magar’s decision, the Nepali Congress Rukum (West) issued a circular directing a reversal of the decision. District President Prem Prakash Oli argued that the decision violated the Constitution of Nepal and previous Supreme Court rulings, calling the move a mockery of the Constitution and laws.

The Nepali Congress emphasized its role as the guardian of Nepal’s Constitution and laws, instructing all city, village, and ward chairmen elected by the Nepali Congress to ensure there would be no public holiday on Falgun 1 (February 13).

The circular also extended to various mayors and ward chairmen in the affected municipalities, instructing them not to observe the day.