Staff Correspondent
Ousted Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has alleged that he was forced to step down because of his anti-India stance. On Tuesday (September 9), he resigned amid protests led by Generation Z, though he clarified that he has not fled the country and is currently staying at the Shivapuri Army Barracks.
In a letter sent to his party’s general secretary on Wednesday, Oli wrote, “Had I not raised questions over the Lipulekh issue, or opposed India’s claim regarding Ayodhya and Lord Ram’s birthplace, I might still be in power.”
The long-standing India–Nepal dispute centers on the Lipulekh Pass. Nepal claims the Kali River originates from Limpiyadhura, making Kalapani and Lipulekh part of its territory. India, however, considers the area part of Uttarakhand. During his tenure, Oli had firmly declared: “Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapani are integral parts of Nepal.” This stance strained Nepal’s relations with India.
Beyond the border issue, Oli also challenged India’s claim over Ayodhya and the birthplace of Lord Ram. In 2020, he publicly stated, “Lord Ram was not born in India, but in Birgunj, Nepal.” He further questioned, “How could an Indian Ram marry Sita from Nepal’s Janakpur, when in ancient times distant marriages were uncommon?”
These remarks sparked widespread criticism in India. Oli now asserts that such anti-India positions were ultimately the main reason behind his removal from power.