The Christian community in the country has warned of stern protests if the government ignores their demand to recognise Christmas as a public holiday.

Federation of National Christian, Nepal (FNCN), in a statement on Sunday, objected the government’s decision to give Christmas leave only to those officials who were Christians.

The government, from this year, decided to limit the leave to Christian staff. Before that, Christmas was a public holiday for everyone for the past eight years. The newly promulgated constitution also states the country as secular.

The FNCN also announced protest programmes, which includes submitting memorandum to the prime minister, home minister and law minister and district administrators. Besides, it will organise peaceful rallies and corner assemblies across the country.