Major opposition parties on Monday demanded that Prime Minister Balendra Shah apologise in Parliament for his remarks suggesting that Nepal had also encroached upon Indian territory, warning that they would continue obstructing House proceedings until he provides a clarification.

The decision was taken at a meeting of opposition parties held at the Nepali Congress parliamentary party office in Singha Durbar. Representatives of the Congress, CPN-UML, Nepali Communist Party (NCP) and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) attended the meeting.

The controversy stems from Shah’s statement in the House of Representatives on Sunday while responding to lawmakers’ questions on the long-running disputes over Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani.

“You may find this surprising, but I, too, only learned after becoming prime minister that it is not only India that has encroached on Nepal’s land; Nepal has also encroached on Indian land in many places,” Shah told Parliament.

The remark drew criticism from opposition lawmakers, former diplomats and border experts, many of whom argued that cross-border cultivation and landholding should not be equated with territorial encroachment.

Congress leader Nishcal Rai said the opposition viewed the prime minister’s statement with utmost seriousness.

“The prime minister must come to Parliament and clarify the remarks he made. He should also apologise before the House,” Rai said. “Our obstruction of Parliament will continue until he responds.”

UML vice-chair Padma Aryal said the statement had embarrassed the country and weakened Nepal’s position on a sensitive national issue.

RPP chief whip Khusbu Oli also called the statement erroneous and demanded that Shah explain himself before lawmakers.