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Hans India
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Lord Sri Ram was not Indian, reiterates Nepal PM Oli
Kathmandu: Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has once again reiterated his claim that Lord Ram was born in Nepal. Addressing a party event in Kathmandu on Monday, the Nepal PM claimed Lord Ram's birthplace lies within Nepal's territory and encouraged people not to shy away from spreading the message. Speaking at a programme organised by his party, CPN-UML's Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Oli said his claims are based on the original "Ramayana" written by sage Balmiki (Valmiki). "We talk about tourism. But how can someone just make a story about Ram being born somewhere else, specifying the place? Ram was born in Nepal. It is in Nepalese territory; that place now lies in Nepal. I won't say it was Nepal even then. Where was it, where wasn't it? Was it a Tharu village? But now that territory is in Nepal. Ram is God; it is up to you to believe it or not. Those who believe Ram is God, Ram's birthplace is sacred. We are not able to preach it much. We don't preach more about it. We don't dare to do so. It feels awkward. I think it's annoying," the Prime Minister said. The Nepali Prime Minister also claimed that other figures from Hindu mythology are also from Nepal. "Shiva is from here, Vishwamitra is from here. I am not saying this; it's written in Ramayana, in Balmiki's Ramayana. Vishwamitra says that Ram crossed the Koshi River and went west, and taught Lakshmana." Oli added. He suggested that the places mentioned in the epic now lie in Nepal's Sunsari district, stating, "I didn't write that. It is clear that Vishwamitra is from Chatara." This is not the first time Oli has made such statements. In July 2020, he claimed that the ancient Ayodhya lies in Thori, Chitwan, Nepal, and ordered the construction of a Ram temple there. At the time, he had argued that Ram Janmabhoomi rightfully belongs to Nepal and cannot be reassigned by "creating a story." "Balmiki Ashram is in Nepal, and the holy place where King Dasharath had executed the rites to get his son is in Ridi. Dasharath's son Ram was not an Indian, and Ayodhya is also in Nepal," Oli had said. In defending his position, he had questioned how Ram could have travelled from present-day Ayodhya in India to Janakpur to marry Sita without any communication infrastructure. "Janakpur lies here and Ayodhya there, and there is talk of marriage. There was no telephone or mobile -- how could the place be known? It was impossible at that time. It could have been nearer, so he came -- but that history is beyond discussion," Oli had said. Oli also stated that there are differences over claims of Ayodhya that exist in India, which at that time had drawn flak within the party. Members of the ruling Nepal Communist Party had criticised Oli for making remarks that have a direct link with the religious sentiments and thoughts of people. Nepal's Foreign Ministry also had to issue a release clarifying the issue, which has been brought to the limelight repeatedly by Oli. Weeks before the September 2020 claim, Nepali Prime Minister Oli had also sent idols of Ram and Sita to be installed in the temple planned in Thori, Nepal.
India Gazette
08-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
There is no fear in preaching that Ram is born in Nepal: Prime Minister Oli
Kathmandu [Nepal], July 8 (ANI): Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has once again reiterated his claim that Lord Ram was born in Nepal. Addressing a party event in Kathmandu on Monday, the Nepal PM claimed Lord Ram's birthplace lies within Nepal's territory and encouraged people not to shy away from spreading the message. Speaking at a programme organised by his party, CPN-UML's Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Oli said his claims are based on the original 'Ramayana' written by sage Balmiki (Valmiki). 'We talk about tourism. But how can someone just make a story about Ram being born somewhere else, specifying the place? Ram was born in Nepal. It is in Nepalese territory; that place now lies in Nepal. I won't say it was Nepal even then. Where was it, where wasn't it? Was it a Tharu village? But now that territory is in Nepal. Ram is God; it is up to you to believe it or not. Those who believe Ram is God, Ram's birthplace is sacred. We are not able to preach it much. We don't preach more about it. We don't dare to do so. It feels awkward. I think it's annoying,' the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister also claimed that other figures from Hindu mythology are also from Nepal. 'Shiva is from here, Vishwamitra is from here. I am not saying this; it's written in Ramayana, in Balmiki's Ramayana. Vishwamitra says that Ram crossed the Koshi River and went west, and taught Lakshmana.' Oli added. He suggested that the places mentioned in the epic now lie in Nepal's Sunsari district, stating, 'I didn't write that. It is clear that Vishwamitra is from Chatara.' This is not the first time Oli has made such statements. In July 2020, he claimed that the ancient Ayodhya lies in Thori, Chitwan, Nepal, and ordered the construction of a Ram temple there. At the time, he had argued that Ram Janmabhoomi rightfully belongs to Nepal and cannot be reassigned by 'creating a story.' 'Balmiki Ashram is in Nepal, and the holy place where King Dasharath had executed the rites to get his son is in Ridi. Dasharath's son Ram was not an Indian, and Ayodhya is also in Nepal,' Oli had said. In defending his position, he had questioned how Ram could have travelled from present-day Ayodhya in India to Janakpur to marry Sita without any communication infrastructure. 'Janakpur lies here and Ayodhya there, and there is talk of marriage. There was no telephone or mobile -- how could the place be known? It was impossible at that time. It could have been nearer, so he came -- but that history is beyond discussion,' Oli had said. Oli also stated that there are differences over claims of Ayodhya that exist in India, which at that time had drawn flak within the party. Members of the ruling Nepal Communist Party had criticised Oli for making remarks that have a direct link with the religious sentiments and thoughts of people. Nepal's Foreign Ministry also had to issue a release clarifying the issue, which has been brought to the limelight repeatedly by Oli. Weeks before the September 2020 claim, Nepali Prime Minister Oli had also sent idols of Ram and Sita to be installed in the temple planned in Thori, Nepal. (ANI)
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Ram was not Indian': PM KP Sharma Oli says Shiva, Vishwamitra and Valmiki were also Nepali
Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has once again reignited the debate over Lord Ram's birthplace, asserting that Ram, along with deities like Shiva and sage Vishwamitra, originated from Nepal. Speaking at a party event organised by the CPN-UML's Tourism and Civil Aviation Department in Kathmandu, Oli reiterated that Lord Ram was born on what is now Nepalese soil. Oli cited the original Ramayana by sage Valmiki to support his claim, saying, 'We talk about promoting tourism, but how can someone just invent a story saying Ram was born elsewhere? Ram was born in what is today Nepalese territory. Whether it was called Nepal back then or not is a different matter — that region now lies within Nepal.' He added that although Ram is considered divine by many, Nepal has not actively promoted this belief. 'We hesitate to speak about it. We don't preach it enough — maybe it feels awkward to some. But the birthplace is sacred to those who revere Ram,' he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Rates Undo Expanding on his claim, Oli asserted that other prominent figures from Hindu mythology, including Shiva and Vishwamitra, also hailed from Nepal. 'It's not something I made up. Valmiki's Ramayana mentions that Vishwamitra is from Chatara, and he taught Lakshmana after Ram crossed the Koshi River and headed west,' he explained, referencing locations in Sunsari district. This is not the first time Oli has made such assertions. In July 2020, he had controversially claimed that the real Ayodhya is in Thori, Chitwan district of Nepal, and ordered the construction of a Ram temple there. At the time, he argued that the Ram Janmabhoomi rightfully belongs to Nepal and that historical narratives placing it elsewhere are fabricated. Live Events He had also claimed that Balmiki Ashram, where sage Valmiki lived, is in Nepal, and that the place where King Dasharath performed a ritual to beget Ram is in Ridi. 'Ram was not Indian, and Ayodhya is in Nepal,' Oli had declared. To support his argument, Oli had questioned the plausibility of Ram traveling from present-day Ayodhya in India to Janakpur in Nepal without any means of communication or transport. 'There were no phones or messaging systems. How would he have known about Janakpur? The geography suggests proximity,' he said. Oli's comments have sparked controversy in the past, drawing criticism from members of his own party, the ruling Nepal Communist Party, for invoking religious beliefs for political narratives. Following the backlash, Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs was compelled to issue clarifications on the matter. (With ANI inputs)
The Hindu
20-06-2025
- The Hindu
First batch of 33 pilgrims leaves for Kailash Manasarovar Yatra via Sikkim's Nathula
'The first batch of 33 pilgrims and two liaison officers left for Kailash Manasarovar Yatra via Nathula in Sikkim on Friday (June 20, 2025),' officials said. 'Governor Om Prakash Mathur flagged off the yatra at a function held at the Sino-Indian frontier in East Sikkim,' they said. The function was organised by the Ministry of External Affairs. Tourism and Civil Aviation Department Additional Chief Secretary C.S. Rao welcomed the pilgrims on behalf of the State Government and the people of Sikkim. He said that the first batch comprised 33 pilgrims and two liaison officers, one each from the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police. Mr. Rao said the State Government, in coordination with the departments concerned and paramilitary forces, had made all necessary arrangements to ensure the safety, comfort and smooth passage of the pilgrims during their journey. The Governor, in his address, appreciated the reopening of the yatra after six years and said that the resumption of pilgrimage was made possible owing to consistent efforts by the Centre. Mathur said Kailash Manasarovar holds deep religious and cultural importance for pilgrims across the country. The Sikkim Governor said that more batches of pilgrims would undertake the journey in the coming days. Mathur lauded the State Government for the flag-off event at Nathula and appreciated the people of Sikkim for upholding the value of "Atithi Devo Bhava" with commitment and respect towards the pilgrims. The Governor advised the pilgrims to take care of their health and expressed hope for a smooth and safe pilgrimage. This year, 750 Indian pilgrims have been selected for the yatra, with 500 travelling in 10 groups via the Nathu La route and 250 through the Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand.
The Print
07-05-2025
- The Print
Sikkim: Aimed at promoting battlefield tourism, motorcycle expedition to Doka La flagged off
The two-day expedition was organised by the state's Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Home Department, and the 17th Mountain Division as part of the golden jubilee celebrations of Sikkim's statehood. A total of 161 riders are taking part in the expedition, flagged off by Sikkim's Tourism Minister Tshering Thendup Bhutia, from Zero Point in Gangtok in the presence of Brigadier of 17th Mountain Division Kunal Mukherjee. Gangtok, May 7 (PTI) A motorcycle expedition to Doka La, aimed at promoting battlefield tourism, was flagged off from Gangtok on Wednesday morning. Designed to highlight Sikkim's distinctive geographical and strategic attributes, nine prominent riding clubs of the region are taking part in the expedition, an official said. Bhutia said battlefield tourism is an emerging sector that integrates the historical significance of an area with adventure and scenic exploration. He said that Sikkim's border regions, endowed with spectacular landscapes, hold immense promise for developing new tourist destinations. Recognised for its strategic importance and breathtaking views, Doka La is set to become a notable attraction for visitors seeking unique travel experiences that combine history and natural beauty, he added. He said tourism is the mainstay of Sikkim's economy, and the state government is working towards attracting more tourists through infrastructure development and diversified offerings. The riders will reach Doka La via Gnathang and Kupup, an unforgettable journey through Sikkim's frontier heritage, he added. Doka La is the Indian name for the region, which Bhutan recognises as Dokalam. Indian and Chinese troops engaged in a standoff in the area in 2017. PTI CORR SOM This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
