Accountability questioned after driver's self-immolation

A 25-year-old ride-sharing driver, Ganesh Nepali, died after setting himself on fire outside the Department of Passports in Kathmandu. The incident occurred Thursday afternoon following a dispute with a city police officer over a parking violation. Nepali, who was already burdened by a Rs300,000 motorcycle loan, succumbed to his injuries the next day. His family alleges that persistent fines from Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) authorities pushed him to the extreme act, with his dying words reportedly blaming the metropolis.

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This is all because of the metropolis.

While three city police officers have been questioned, the tragedy highlights broader issues of urban governance in Nepal. Critics argue that municipal police forces, established under Mayor Balendra Shah, have become overly aggressive, prioritizing enforcement over public service. This contrasts sharply with the vocal criticism Shah and others offered when they were outside the government.

In January 2023, entrepreneur Prem Prasad Acharya's self-immolation outside Parliament drew swift condemnation from current leaders, including Shah, who then stated "each and every unit, department and organ of the state have failed." Deputy Prime Minister Rabi Lamichhane admitted, "In this case we are guilty. I am guilty." The current silence from these same leaders regarding Nepali's death is seen by many as a betrayal of their past commitments.

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each and every unit, department and organ of the state have failed in this case.

The article suggests Nepali's death is the culmination of escalating municipal aggression. It points to past incidents, like the Tukucha River excavation, where city authorities allegedly disregarded private property rights and constitutional protections, acting without due process or compensation. This pattern of behavior, the article argues, demonstrates a systemic failure in urban governance that prioritizes forceful action over citizen welfare.

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In this case we are guilty. I am guilty.