Widespread Outrage from Streets to Parliament Following Ganesh Nepali’s Death; Investigation Committee Formed

Following the death of Ganesh Nepali from Mugu, who had attempted self-immolation in Kathmandu and passed away during treatment, intense outrage has erupted ranging from the streets to the parliament. On Friday, opposition party lawmakers sharply criticized the government during the House of Representatives session. In the National Assembly, there were even calls demanding the Prime Minister’s resignation. After news of Ganesh Nepali’s death during treatment became public, some youths staged protests in Kathmandu’s Maitighar area. Home Minister Sudhan Gurung informed the parliament of the formation of a five-member investigation committee to conduct an impartial inquiry into the incident.

Home Minister Gurung expressed sorrow that despite the government’s extensive efforts, they were unable to save Ganesh Nepali. “Yesterday, we made relentless efforts. A plane was ready, and the process to obtain permission had been initiated. However, the doctors stated that the patient could only be transported once his condition was stable,” he explained. He also informed that three Metropolitan Police officers have been taken into custody for questioning.

During the House of Representatives meeting, opposition lawmakers held the government responsible for the incident. Basana Thapa, a member of the main opposition party Nepali Congress, accused the state of being a silent spectator. “Even as a young man set himself on fire out of despair, the state remained a mute witness. His body was burned, yet the government neither dispatched an ambulance nor handled the matter with care, treating him like a criminal instead,” she questioned.

Lawmakers from the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) also held the current government accountable for Ganesh Nepali’s death. MP Ain Mahar stated, “This is a murder for which this Balendra government must take responsibility.” Meanwhile, traffic police dismissed allegations that Ganesh Nepali attempted self-immolation, clarifying that there had been no penalties imposed in connection to the incident. Reports reveal that Ganesh Nepali engaged in self-immolation following a dispute at the incident site.