National Youth Union Demands Investigation into Self-Immolation Attempt

Kathmandu. The National Youth Union, Nepal, affiliated with the CPN-UML, has expressed serious concern and sorrow over the incident of Ganesh Nepali attempting self-immolation in front of the Department of Passports on June 25 and demanded an investigation into the incident. 

Issuing a statement on Friday, the union's chairman, Maharaj Gurung, stated that the Ganesh Nepali incident confirms the public's growing feeling that since the formation of the government led by Balen, policies and activities have been more focused on the interests of the wealthy and affluent class rather than the reality of the majority of economically struggling Nepalis. 

“When the state, which should guarantee easy services, employment, housing, and a dignified life for citizens, presents itself through punishment, fines, and displacement, the incidents from the suffering of the landless community to today's self-immolation attempt are vivid examples,” Chairman Gurung's statement read. “This incident is not just the pain of one individual but needs to be seen as a symbol of the unemployment, despair, lack of opportunity, complexities in service delivery, and declining trust in the state that Nepali youth are facing today.” 

The Youth Union stated that the fact that the youth were forced to express their dissatisfaction and pain to such an extreme extent is itself a serious matter for the state mechanism, society, and all stakeholders. 

“We wish the injured Ganesh Nepali a speedy recovery. Furthermore, we strongly demand that the relevant bodies conduct an impartial investigation into the causes that pushed the youth into such a situation and make the facts public, and that the state bear the responsibility for all the treatment and compensation of the injured,” the Youth Union said.