Gagan Thapa Expresses Concern Over Pathao Driver Ganesh Nepali's Self-Immolation

Kathmandu. Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa has expressed concern over the incident of Pathao driver Ganesh Nepali's self-immolation, stating that it has shocked the entire country. He mentioned on social media that this incident is an extremely painful moment that jolts society, the state, and our collective consciousness. Offering heartfelt condolences to the deceased Nepali, he expressed deep sympathy to the bereaved family. Thapa has humbly requested everyone not to turn this incident into a subject of political debate or blame. It is his understanding that this is a matter connected to a citizen's life, a family's unbearable pain, and our human sensibility. He has called for everyone to think from their respective positions about how the dependent family of Ganesh can be supported in this difficult time and how their sorrow can be soothed. Thapa emphasized that instead of debating who was at fault in the past and present, such incidents should be made a subject of our collective self-reflection connected to state governance. He says it is time we ask ourselves some difficult questions. He questions why a youth reaches such a point of extreme despair and why a situation arises where they have to set themselves on fire to express their pain. Thapa states that we need to think about why, in places where the state's services and mechanisms should provide a sense of support, companionship, and trust to citizens, some citizens feel so helpless before the state itself. He pointed out that we need to find out where we, as society, family, state, and citizens, have failed in situations where citizens have to lose their lives. Finding honest answers to these questions and creating an environment where no citizen has to choose such a suicidal path in the future will be the true tribute to Ganesh Nepali, Thapa clarified.