Opposition parties protest over PM Shah's border remarks
KATHMANDU, JUNE 2
The meetings of both Houses - Upper and Lower Houses of Federal Parliament - were adjourned today due to opposition parties' protests over Prime Minister Balendra (Balen) Shah's remarks about border issues. The ongoing disruptions completely prevented Parliament from carrying out its scheduled legislative business.
The House of Representatives (HoR) meeting, which began three hours later than scheduled, devolved into chaos as major opposition parties declared that no compromise could be reached on national sovereignty and territorial integrity. They demanded that the PM retract his statement or provide immediate factual evidence to support it.
The political flak erupted after Prime Minister Shah said during Sunday's session, "I was surprised to learn that not only India but Nepal has also encroached upon India's land."
The opposition then immediately disrupted proceedings, demanding that the remark be removed from the parliamentary record unless supported by proof.
Despite Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal's repeated requests for opposition lawmakers to stop protesting and allow the House to move forward with critical agenda items, such as crucial debates on the national budget, the session was unable to proceed. Consequently, the speaker rescheduled the next HoR meeting for Monday, June 8, at 11:00am. Amid the shouting, Speaker Aryal was only able to read a letter from the President's Office regarding a bill certification.
During the session, Nepali Congress (NC) MP Abhishek Prasad Sah demanded that the prime minister formally clarify his position on the Nepal-India border, noting that the NC had previously filed an official protest note in the Parliament.
Other lawmakers, including Harka Raj Rai, MP and president of the Shram Sanskriti Party, emphasised that protecting the country's territorial integrity is a shared responsibility among all parliamentarians. Rastriya Prajatantra Party MP Khushbu Oli contended that because the prime minister represents a national institution rather than an individual, such an absurd position is unacceptable.
Yubaraj Dulal, a Nepali Communist Party MP, stated that the nation's guardian must strictly adhere to facts when dealing with sensitive border issues. While demanding that the ruling coalition make its official stance public, Dulal emphasised that once clarity is provided, Parliament should function normally.
CPN-UML MP Ganesh Singh Thagunna emphasised that border disputes and active encroachment are fundamentally different issues and that geographical sovereignty cannot be bargained away.
The protest has also spread to the Upper House, which was forced to adjourn until 12:15pm tomorrow without addressing scheduled agenda. NA Chairperson Narayan Prasad Dahal announced the adjournment after parliamentarians blocked proceedings as soon as the session began. Lawmakers were outraged by Prime Minister Shah's remarks on Sunday, arguing that legislative business could not be conducted ethically until the border issue was resolved.
Despite Chairperson Dahal's repeated appeals to prioritise the heavy legislative agenda, determined opposition members ignored his calls.
The Upper House was scheduled to read the presidential bill authentication letter and welcome Finance Minister Swarnim Waglé. Waglé was scheduled to present the annual revenue and expenditure estimates for the fiscal year 2026-27 for general discussion, as well as introduce the 'Alternative Development Finance Mobilisation Bill, 2026,' which was received from the HoR.
Prior to the adjournment, NA lawmaker Padam Bahadur Pariyar urged the prime minister to appear in Parliament with specific maps and data demonstrating which areas of Nepali land had allegedly been encroached upon and to what extent.
Lawmaker Roshani Meche proudly stated that Nepal has never encroached on another country's territory, while Tul Prasad Bishwokarma urged the prime minister to understand the distinction between 'utilising land' and 'encroaching on a border.'
On the other hand, lawmaker Mahanta Thakur argued that even if Nepali citizens were using land that technically belongs to India, this should not be considered malicious encroachment.
Thakur reminded the floor that Indian forces have long been stationed in Limpiyadhura and Lipulek - territories firmly claimed by Nepal - and argued that the Indian side is the one actively encroaching.
He expressed deep concern that the prime minister's careless phrasing in Parliament would severely complicate ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the long-standing border dispute.
