Kalapani controversy: Nepal's parliament approves controversial map, ignoring Indian protests

Kathmandu, Ta. 18 June 2020, Thursday

Ignoring India's opposition, the National Assembly, the upper house of Nepal's parliament, has approved a constitutional amendment bill introduced on Thursday on the country's controversial political map. "India has illegally occupied Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura and should return Nepal's land," Dinanath Sharma, leader of the ruling Communist Party of Nepal's parliamentary party, told the National Assembly at the time.

The National Assembly received 57 votes in favor of the new map of Nepal and not a single vote was cast in opposition. Thus the bill was passed unanimously in the National Assembly. During the vote in the National Assembly, the opposition Nepali Congress and Janata Samajwadi Party-Nepal in Parliament supported the government's bill to amend the Third Schedule to the Constitution.

395 sq km of Indian territory

Amidst the conflict with India on the border, Nepal had mapped Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura in its territory. Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shivamaya Thumbhangfe introduced a bill in Parliament to change the map, which included an Indian territory of 395 sq km. India has opposed Nepal's move, refusing to approve it, calling it a baseless political weapon.

The bill will be sent to the President

The bill was also passed by the National Assembly so it will now be sent to President Vidyadevi Bhandari for approval and then it will be included in the constitution. Once approved by the President, the new map will be included in all official documents.

Experts question government action

Diplomats and experts questioned the government's move, saying, "If this map has already been approved by the cabinet, why was a task force of experts formed?"