By TRN Online, Kathmandu, July 14: Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has made it clear that the Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's remarks with reference to Ayodhya, Shri Ram and the Ramayana as made at a programme on Monday were not for belittling the importance of Ayodhya but for highlighting on the need for further studies on the cultural geography of the Ramayana.

"As there have been several myths and references about Shri Ram and the places associated with him, the Prime Minister was simply highlighting the importance of further studies and research of the vast cultural geography the Ramayana represents to obtain facts about Shri Ram, Ramayana and the various places linked to this rich civilization," MoFA said in a statement issued on Tuesday.

In the statement, MoFA said, "attention of the Government of Nepal has been drawn to the various interpretations of the remarks made yesterday by Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Mr. K P Sharma Oli during the 207th birth anniversary celebration of Adikavi Bhanu Bhakta Acharya, the author of the Ramayana in Nepali language."

The remarks made by the Prime Minister are not linked to any political subject and have no intention at all to hurt the feeling and sentiment of anyone, the statement read.

MoFA stressed that the remarks were not meant to debasing the significance of Ayodhya and the cultural value it bears.

It may be underlined that the tradition of celebrating Bibaha Panchami where a marriage procession coming from Ayodhya, India to Janakpur, Nepal takes place every year. The Prime Ministers of Nepal and India launched the Ramayana Circuit in May 2018, of which Janakpur-Ayodhya Passenger Bus Service is an important component. These facts signify the bond of time honoured cultural affinity between our two countries and peoples, said the MoFA in the statement.