Pressure is mounting on Prime Minister Balendra (Balen) Shah to step down following the tragic death of a ride-sharing driver who set himself on fire after a dispute with municipal police in the capital.
Ganesh Nepali, a resident of Mugu district, self-immolated in Kathmandu’s Tripureshwar on Thursday afternoon following a heated altercation with city police officers. He was rushed to Bir Hospital with severe burn injuries, where he succumbed to his injuries on Friday morning.
The incident has sparked widespread public outrage, triggering fierce debates in Parliament and massive street protests, with critics accusing the government of cruelty and systemic failure.
Speaking at the House of Representatives on Friday, Basana Thapa, the Chief Whip of the main opposition, Nepali Congress, fiercely criticized the Prime Minister's silence. "Prime Minister, why this silence on yesterday’s tragedy?" Thapa questioned. "When you were in the opposition, you ruthlessly questioned the state's failures. But today, leading the government, why are you running away from answering those very questions?"
Thapa added, "The government has failed to protect its citizens. It is time for you to take off your black sunglasses and look at the plight of the people."
The outrage echoed in the National Assembly, where Nepali Communist Party (NCP) lawmaker Bishnu Bahadur Bishwakarma blamed the administration's high-handedness for the tragedy. He alleged that authorities treated the victim with sheer brutality even after he had set himself on fire.
"Mugu resident Ganesh Nepali was forced to burn himself because of the cruelty of the Balen administration," Bishwakarma stated. "Even after being severely burned, he was dragged to the hospital. This cruel government, which compelled a citizen to commit suicide, has no right to remain in power. If there is any morality left, PM Balen must resign."
Meanwhile, the unrest spilled onto the streets. Hundreds of youths gathered at Maitighar Mandala on Friday to protest against the government, chanting slogans demanding the Prime Minister's immediate resignation.
Protesters accused the state machinery of being completely insensitive toward the poor and the working class. They argued that such tragedies are a direct result of Kathmandu's disorganized parking management, exorbitant fines, and the lack of clear protective policies for ride-sharing workers.
Demanding an impartial and independent investigation into the incident, demonstrators vowed to continue their protests until the officials responsible for abetting the rider to commit suicide are brought to justice.
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