Nepal clarifies PM Oli’s Ayodhya statement

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 14

The Nepal Ministry of Foreign Affairs sought to shield Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli’s comments on Lord Ram from criticism by clarifying that he did not mean to debase the significance of Ayodhya and the cultural value it bears.

On Monday, speaking at the 207th birth anniversary celebration of the author of Ramayana in Nepali language, Oli had said Lord Ram was not born in India but in Nepal’s Ayodhya village.

The MFA said the remarks were not linked to any political subject and were not intended to hurt the feelings and sentiment of anyone. It added that as there have been several myths and references about Lord Ram and the places associated with him, the PM 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 civilisation.”

The statement also reminded that the PMs of Nepal and India launched the Ramayana Circuit two years back, 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,” added the statement.