‘Resign,Balen’ Nepal Students, Opposition Protest Against PM’s India Territory Remark

Nepal’s political landscape was thrown into turmoil this week as Prime Minister Balendra “Balen” Shah faced mounting calls for resignation following his controversial remarks in Parliament on the India–Nepal border dispute, triggering protests from opposition parties, student groups, and disruptions in both Houses of Parliament.

Shah, while responding to lawmakers, stated that “not only India, but Nepal has also encroached upon Indian territory in several places,” a comment that immediately sparked outrage across the political spectrum. Opposition lawmakers and student organisations accused him of making “anti-national” and “diplomatically damaging” remarks, demanding an apology and deletion of the statement from parliamentary records.

Protests soon spread beyond Parliament, with student groups staging demonstrations in Kathmandu under slogans such as “protect sovereignty” and “Resign, Balen,” intensifying political pressure on the Prime Minister.

Inside Parliament, proceedings were repeatedly paralysed. In the House of Representatives, opposition members obstructed proceedings, forcing Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal to adjourn the session until June 8. The National Assembly also witnessed similar disruptions, leading to adjournment until Wednesday.

The controversy deepened after reports that Shah had suggested involving historians, surveyors, and international experts to examine the border issue, and had even referenced consultations with third countries such as the UK and China. This proposal drew sharp criticism, with India firmly rejecting any role for external mediation.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs reiterated that the India–Nepal boundary dispute is strictly bilateral , with spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stating that nearly 98 per cent of the border has already been demarcated , while remaining issues stem from river course changes, mapping gaps, and joint verification work .

The dispute centres on Kalapani, Limpiyadhura, and Lipulekh , long-contested territories shaped by differing interpretations of the 1816 Sugauli Treaty. The issue has periodically strained ties, particularly after Nepal’s revised political map in 2020 and infrastructure developments in the region by India.

Amid rising tensions, Nepal’s Foreign Ministry issued a clarification saying the Prime Minister’s remarks referred to cross-border occupation and no-man’s-land mapping issues , not a formal territorial concession. However, opposition parties rejected the explanation, continuing to demand accountability.