PM KP Sharma Oli’s Controversial claim and Nepal-India relation

Sangita Poudel

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has thrown a controversial statement on Monday (July 13) that the “real” Ayodhya lies in Nepal, not in India and Lord Rama was born in Thori in southern Nepal. PM Oli also accused  India is manipulating cultural and historical facts by “creating a fake Ayodhya.”  Due to this statement of Oli, India’s ruling party Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has condemned Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s controversial claim.

Condemning Oli for his bizarre claim , BJP national spokesperson Bizay Sonkar Shastri said “Lord Ram is a matter of faith for us, and people will not allow anybody, be it prime minister of Nepal or anyone, to play with this,”.

Without providing any archaeological evidences or cite references to back his statement Oli’s been criticized not only in India even in Nepal too by senior NCP leaders, including former prime minister ”Prachanda”, who says his recent anti-India remarks were “neither politically correct nor diplomatically appropriate.”

Before this controversial statement of Oli, he was brought in to condemned several times but this time since it’s related to diplomatic relation with neighbouring country his latest statement has brought a wave in both countries Nepal and India.

Before reacting over any issues, being a Primeminister or let’s say the head of the government Oli had to think three times more to make such exaggerated remarks. If Lord Rama was born in Nepal then too without proper proof he shouldn’t have to speak on it. Otherwise, this sorts of baseless, unproven statements is not suitable for post of primeminister since he did not provide any Archaeological evidences or cite references.

It is to be noted that , Nepal recently updated its political map and included some Indian territories in the new map. Prime Minister Oli has already committed he would leave no stone unturned to get its occupied territory. However, there is a need for strong support from all the political parties. Since, PM Oli’s controversial statement, at a time when diplomatic relations between Nepal and India are at a sensitive juncture due to the ongoing dispute over Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani, could further elevate tensions between the bordering countries.

Moreover, it’s a high time to raise voice against nepal’s teritorries rather than such exaggerated remarks, baseless and unproven statements by the political parties, historians, civil society and intellectuals of Nepal  including primeminister. And this is the most important thing at present to strengthen the relation with India thorugh dialogue and no one should create any obstacles in this process. Let us not get provoked or provoke anyone, rather maintain peace and get it resolved through political and diplomatic means.