'No Intention To Hurt Sentiments': Nepal Comes On Backfoot After KP Sharma Oli's 'Real Ayodhya' Claim

PM KP Sharma Oli on Monday had claimed that "Real Ayodhya lies in Nepal, not in India. Lord Ram is Nepali, not Indian."

Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. (File Photo/ Getty)

New Delhi: Nepal's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday gave clarification over Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's controversial remark over "Lord Ram being born in Nepal and not in India." In a statement issued today, the Nepal government said that "Remarks made by the Prime Minister are not linked to any political subject and have no intention to hurt the feelings and sentiments of anyone." It further added that , "As there have been several myths and references about Shri Ram and the places associated with him, the Prime Minister was simply highlighting the importance of further studies and research of the vast cultural geography the Ramayana represents to obtain facts about Shri Ram, Ramayana and the various places linked to this rich civilization."

Nepal Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues clairification over PM KP Oli's y'days' remarks on Ayodhya & Lord Ram. "Remarks not linked to any political subject & have no intention to hurt anyone's feelings; not meant to debasing signifiance of Ayodhya and cultural value it bears." pic.twitter.com/xghWhjTkl8

— ANI (@ANI) July 14, 2020

This cover-up statement from the neighboring Nepal came a day after PM Oli reportedly claimed that "Real Ayodhya lies in Nepal, not in India. Lord Ram is Nepali, not Indian." His remakes landed PM Oli under a major fire as the Indian citizens highly criticized the Prime Minister and asked to apologise for hurting the sentiments of followers of Lord Ram. To cover PM Oli's statement, the ministry further in its official statement said the tradition of celebrating Bibaha Panchami where a marriage procession coming from Ayodhya, India to Janakpur, Nepal takes place every year. ALSO READ | Amid Ongoing Scuffle PM Oli Says, 'Lord Ram Was Not From India, Real Ayodhya Is In Nepal' "The Prime Ministers of Nepal and India launched the Ramayana Circuit in May 2018, of which Janakpur-Ayodhya Passenger Bus Service is an important component. These facts signify the bond of time honoured cultural affinity between our two countries and peoples," the ministry added. It is to be marked that the tensions between the two Asian neighbours started brewing few months back after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a 80-km-long strategically crucial road connecting the Lipulekh pass with Dharchula in Uttarakhand on May 8. Nepal had opposed India’s move claiming that the road lies completely within its territory. Later the Nepalese legislation passed a new political map through a constitutional amendment, incorporating the three strategically important Indian areas. Nepal’s move has been sternly criticized by India and its claims have been termed untenable.