KATHMANDU, JUNE 8
Amidst the Akhand Bharat map controversy, KMC Mayor Balendra Shah has installed a map of Greater Nepal at his office.
Controversy erupted between neighbouring countries after India placed a map of 'Akhand Bharat' in its new parliament building with the territory of Nepal included in it. Mayor Shah's move has been taken as counter move to India's act of installing 'Akhand Bharat' map with Nepal's territory.
Shah is currently in Bangalore, India, for his wife's treatment.
He instructed that this map be put up at his office before leaving for India. He has planned to take a picture with the new map in the background and make it public after returning from India.
Recently, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the country's new parliament building. With the publication of the map of 'Akhand Bharat' inside the new parliament building, strong protest has flared up in Nepal.
The Akhand Bharat map has been criticised in Nepal because it includes Nepal's Lumbini and Kapilvastu. The Government of Nepal has not given any formal response to India on this issue. Even Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal did not make the map of 'Akhand Bharat' a topic for discussion during his recent visit to India. Recently, in the meeting of the House of Representatives, RSP lawmaker Biraj Bhakta Shrestha suggested that a map of Greater Nepal be placed in the Parliament building of Nepal as well.
Controversy had erupted over the Akhand Bharat mural in the new building of the Indian parliament during the visit of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. It has been criticised by Nepali politicians across party lines because it shows Lumbini, Buddha's birthplace, as Indian territory.
Nepal's former PM and Nepal Socialist Party leader Baburam Bhattarai has raised questions on the mural. He has said that India should express its intention behind the installation and clarify.
"The controversial mural of 'Akhand Bharat' in the recently inaugurated new parliament building of India may create unnecessary and harmful diplomatic row in the neighbourhood.
It has the potential of further aggravating the trust deficit already prevalent in bilateral relations between Nepal and India. It would be prudent for Indian political leadership to unravel and communicate in time the real intent and ramification of this mural," he tweeted.
Likewise, former PM and Chair of CPN-UML KP Sharma Oli said, "A country like India which sees itself as an ancient and established country and as a model of democracy, keeps Nepali areas in its map and hangs the map in the Parliament, this cannot be considered appropriate. I would say that our PM should have sought clarification on this during his visit to India."
Netizens have supported Mayor Balen Shah terming his move 'bold and courageous.' Renowned comedian Manoj Gajurel posted, "I was thinking, which public representative from Greater Nepal will give the answer to 'Akhand Bharat' first! Finally, Kathmandu Mayor Balen has become the first. Let's see who will be the second, third, last and last!"
Shirish Devekota commented, "Why don't others care? The federal government ministers, regulatory bodies, provincial government ministers everyone should watch the news and praise Balen's work? Aren't you ashamed? Thank God Balen is there."
Likewise, Prakash Gaire commented, "Your passion and dedication to your country is inspiring. We are delighted with your unwavering dedication to preserve the country's values and create a brighter future. Your commitment to service, unity, progress and love of country makes you a true hero of today and tomorrow. Keep shining and stay peculiar Balen sir. Love and appreciation from three crore people for you will continue forever."
A version of this article appears in the print on June 9, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
