KATHMANDU: Gen-Z movement leader Rabi Kiran Hamal has expressed profound concern over the tragic self-immolation attempt in Tripureshwor, Kathmandu, where Arjun Dong from Kavre reportedly set himself on fire inside a public bus. Urging authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation, Hamal emphasized that the incident must not be brushed aside as an ordinary fire.
Dong set himself ablaze inside the public bus bearing registration plate Ba. 5 Kha 4274 and was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, having sustained severe burns covering approximately 90 percent of his body. Authorities clarified that the driving license recovered at the scene belonged to Dawa Lama and should not be used to identify the victim.
Drawing parallels to the earlier tragic self-immolation of Ganesh Nepali at the very same location, Hamal warned that the repetition of such a harrowing event is a grave red flag for the state.
“The repetition of the tragic incident involving Ganesh Nepali is a very grave and alarming warning for the state,” Hamal stated.
Hamal sharply criticized state mechanisms, questioning why ordinary citizens are repeatedly driven to such desperate extremes just to make their pain and grievances heard. He further questioned who should be held accountable when systemic failures deny citizens timely avenues to voice their concerns. Highlighting allegations of municipal police misconduct in the previous case and traffic police-related circumstances in this recent event, Hamal pointed to a recurring pattern of institutional neglect.
“Although the incidents are different, there appears to be a continuation of dismissive, degrading and self-esteem-harming treatment of citizens by state mechanisms,” he noted.
Demanding full transparency, Hamal insisted that the exact circumstances leading up to Dong’s drastic step be thoroughly investigated and made public. He firmly maintained that holding political power, majority backing, party membership, or a large following should never shield anyone from public scrutiny or state accountability.
“Having a two-thirds majority, a big party, many fans or many followers does not change anything. This is a failure of the state,” Hamal concluded.
