A big controversy has arisen in the country’s politics after a statement by Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra “Balen” Shah. Speaking on the India-Nepal border dispute in Parliament, he said that this issue is not one-sided and Nepal has also encroached on Indian territory at some places. After his statement, opposition parties, student organizations and many other groups have started protests against him and are demanding his resignation.
Balen Shah, who came to power riding the wave of mass movements, is now facing major opposition just a few months after becoming the Prime Minister. This dispute has once again brought the India-Nepal border dispute into discussion, especially regarding Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura areas.
What is India’s stand?
India has a clear stand that Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura are its integral parts. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has reiterated many times that its stand regarding these areas is clear, stable and non-negotiable.
What is the matter?
During the discussion on the long-running border dispute in Nepal’s Parliament on Sunday, Prime Minister Shah had said that Nepal has also entered Indian territory in many parts of the border. After this statement, political controversy started.
According to reports, Shah said that both the countries should take help of historians, survey experts and other experts to resolve this matter. He also mentioned diplomatic documents exchanged with India and even talked about discussing Britain’s role due to colonial era maps. He said that this is an issue which should be resolved through mutual understanding and not by blaming each other.
How did India react?
The Indian government reacted to this on Tuesday. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that there is no role of any third party in any issue related to the India-Nepal border. He said that all border related issues are being resolved through bilateral mechanisms established between the two countries.
Balen Shah has previously been a rapper. He studied engineering in Bengaluru and later became the mayor of Kathmandu. He gained popularity as an outsider challenging traditional political parties and later rose to the post of Prime Minister.
What does the public have to say on Balen Shah’s statement?
- There was anger among the public after his recent statement. On Tuesday also, student organizations protested in Maitighar Mandla, Kathmandu.
- According to The Kathmandu Post, protesters raised slogans such as “protect sovereignty” and accused the prime minister of making “anti-national” statements.
- At the same place, Tarun Dal associated with Nepali Congress also took out a peaceful march. The organization described the Prime Minister’s comments as irresponsible.
- Opposition parties and other groups say Shah’s statement weakens Nepal’s long-standing official stance on the border dispute.
- According to the report of The Kathmandu Post, the protesters believe that if Nepal accepts that it has also encroached somewhere, it may weaken its negotiating position with India in the border dispute.
- There was a huge uproar on this issue even within the Parliament. Proceedings were disrupted in both the House of Representatives and the National Assembly. Opposition MPs demanded an apology from the Prime Minister and removal of his statement from the proceedings of Parliament.
What clarification did Nepal’s Foreign Ministry give?
After this, Nepal’s Foreign Ministry issued a clarification. The ministry said that the Prime Minister’s statement was not related to any kind of territorial claim or concession on the main disputed areas. According to the ministry, the Prime Minister was referring to practical problems related to border management, such as activities in the no-man’s land (Dasgaja area) or situations arising due to change in the flow of rivers.
The Ministry of External Affairs said that the technical teams of India and Nepal are continuously talking to resolve the border related issues. “The issue that the Prime Minister mentioned in Parliament was mainly related to encroachment and cross-border occupation in the Dasgaja area i.e. no-man’s land,” the ministry said in its statement.
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