By IANS
Kathmandu : More than a year after being declared a secular state, the former Hindu kingdom of Nepal continues to remain a Hindu stronghold. Despite Muslim leaders urging Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala to declare a public holiday on Eid-ul-Zuha, the government has ignored the call.
There was also no message from the prime minister’s office to greet the Muslim community.
Earlier this year, Muslims called for a public holiday on Eid-ul-Fitr, another religious festival, but to no avail.
The Koirala government, however, has continued with the old tradition of declaring long holidays for the two major Hindu festivals, Dashain and Tihar.
Besides, several smaller Hindu festivals are also honoured with public holidays. Even eclipses merit public holidays.
With four days left for Christmas, the biggest Christian festival, it remains to be seen if Dec 25 merits a public holiday.
Till last year, government offices remained open on Christmas day.
Till mid-April 2006, Nepal had been the world’s only Hindu kingdom with its king deriving additional support from Hindu organisations, including in India and abroad.
After the fall of the royal government due to a public uprising last year, the new government of opposition parties sought to axe the source of special power and allegiance by declaring Nepal a secular state.
However, in reality, the government of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has been following in the exact footsteps of the religious king.
This year, Koirala failed to meet visiting delegations due to ill health but attended all the religious festivals the king did as the new head of state.
Nepali tabloids reported this month that his family had even held a religious rite for his better health, something that the palace is known to do.