KATHMANDU, DEC 23 - Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal on Wednesday said the country can be directed to peace and progress through religious tolerance and harmony among each other. 

Extending his wishes to the Christian community at a tea reception and greeting exchange program organised to mark Christmas, the prime minister said the Christian community also has an important role in drafting the new constitution as the country has been declared secular.

He said the feudalistic concept of one caste, one religion and one language by the people’s movement. Recalling the Christians’ contribution to promote humanity, love and harmony in the society, the prime minister wished that Christmas will help building peace and institutionalise democracy.

Also on the occasion, Minister for Culture Minendra Rijal said the state has adopted a policy of not promoting any single religion and protecting all religions. .

Nepali Congress vice chair Gopal Man Shrestha said secularism has protected rights of all religions, castes and languages and that all should now gear up to build new constitution.

Likewise, CPN-UML leader Bharat Mohan Adhikari and Nepal Bar Association President Bishwo Kant Mainali also extended wishes on the occasion.

Political leaders, Constituent Assembly members, human rights activists, intellectuals and journalists attended the programme. ekantipur.com