Nepal PM Claims Lord Ram was Born in Nepal
Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has claimed that Lord Ram was actually born in Nepal not in India.
On 13th July 2020, Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli at a Cultural programme said that Ayodhya, the ancient city which millions of Hindus believe as the birthplace of Lord Ram is actually a small village near Kathmandu, Nepal. Prime Minister Oli also claimed that Lord Ram was actually Nepali. This statement of Nepal Prime Minister will surely provoke a reaction from followers of Ram. Mr. Oli was speaking at a cultural programme at his residence and then accused India of cultural oppression and encroachment. He also said that Nepal's contribution to science had been undervalued. Mr. Oli said, "We still believe we gave Sita to Prince Ram but we gave the prince too, from Ayodhya, not India. Ayodhya is a village west of Birgunj. Birgunj is a district in Nepal that is around 135 km from capital Kathmandu."
Ayodhya is a town in Uttar Pradesh, India around 135 km from state capital Lucknow. Prime Minister Oli's controversial remarks came at a time when there is already a dispute between the two countries on a revised political map in which Nepal claims Indian territories of the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand and the Limpiyadhura and Kalapani areas.
Last month the Nepal parliament had unanimously voted and passed the new map and updated the country's map to claim these lands. These are highly strategic areas along India's border with China and have been guarded by India since the 1962 war. India has responded strongly that claims on its territories are not acceptable. Earlier in May, Prime Minister Oli had also blamed India for the spread of the coronavirus in his country.
