Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has once again reignited the centuries-old debate over Lord Ram’s birthplace, insisting that Ram, along with figures like Shiva and Sage Vishwamitra, originated from what is now Nepal. His statement, made at a CPN-UML event organised by the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department in Kathmandu, repeats his earlier claim that the real Ayodhya lies within Nepalese territory.
1. Oli’s Core Assertion 
Speaking to party workers, Oli claimed that Lord Ram was born in the area that is now Nepal. He argued that whether the region was called Nepal in ancient times is irrelevant because today it falls within Nepal’s borders. According to Oli, the birthplace is sacred for devotees of Ram and should be acknowledged as such by Nepal.
2. Reference to Valmiki’s Ramayana 
To back his statement, Oli cited the original Ramayana by Sage Valmiki. He said that Valmiki’s text supports the claim that Ram’s roots are linked to Nepalese territory. He added that it is not just Ram who should be claimed by Nepal but also deities and sages like Shiva, Vishwamitra and Valmiki himself.
3. Vishwamitra’s Origins Oli explained that Sage Vishwamitra is mentioned in the Ramayana as being from Chatara, in what is now Sunsari district of Nepal. According to Oli, after Ram crossed the Koshi River and headed west, Lakshmana received teachings from Vishwamitra at this location. He presented this as another example that major figures connected to Ram’s life were situated in places that are part of present-day Nepal.
4. Past Claim About Ayodhya 
This is not the first time Oli has put forward this view. In July 2020, he claimed that the real Ayodhya is not in India’s Uttar Pradesh but in Thori, Chitwan district of Nepal. He even ordered the construction of a Ram temple there, stating that the Ram Janmabhoomi belongs rightfully to Nepal and that historical accounts placing it elsewhere are fabricated.
5. Balmiki Ashram and King Dasharath’s Rituals Oli also previously claimed that Balmiki Ashram, where Sage Valmiki lived, is in Nepal. He stated that the place where King Dasharath performed a ritual to beget Ram is located in Ridi, within Nepal’s borders. He argued that these sites are evidence that Ram’s birthplace should be recognised as Nepalese.
6. ‘How Could Ram Travel So Far?’ 
Oli has also questioned the practicality of Ram’s journey between today’s India and Janakpur in Nepal. He argued that in ancient times, without phones or messaging systems, it would have been implausible for Ram to know about Janakpur and travel there for Sita’s swayamvar if Ayodhya was far away. He suggested that the closer proximity described in the Ramayana points to Ayodhya being located in what is now Nepal.
7. Criticism and Clarifications Oli’s remarks have sparked controversy in the past, including within his own party. Some members of the Nepal Communist Party have criticised him for using religious beliefs in political narratives. After his 2020 statement, Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs was compelled to issue clarifications in response to the backlash.
A Claim That Continues to Spark Debate KP Sharma Oli’s repeated assertion that Ram was not Indian and that Ayodhya lies in Nepal ensures this ancient question remains alive far beyond religious texts and temple stones. For many, these claims touch not just history but also the pride and identity of two nations that share deep spiritual ties.
Whether seen as political rhetoric or a genuine attempt to reclaim Nepal’s ancient legacy, Oli’s words remind us that mythology and modern borders often collide in unexpected ways. As this debate resurfaces again and again, it poses a question for millions: are these sacred stories meant to divide us by lines on a map, or do they still have the power to connect people across them?
For now, Oli’s claim stands as yet another twist in a tale as old as the Ramayana itself — and one that shows no sign of fading from the headlines anytime soon.
(With ANI inputs)
