Bhishma Raj Angdembe, parliamentary party leader of the main opposition Nepali Congress, has called for an investigation into the self-immolation of ride-sharing driver Ganesh Nepali.
Speaking to reporters, Angdembe said that there have been incidents of mistreatment of working-class people.
"The family has said that Ganesh Nepali was in distress and suffered from depression due to harassment by the metropolitan police. The investigation into the incident is likely underway and the facts will emerge," he told reporters, "But the state and state bodies, in a bid to display excessive authority, are engaging in activities to mistreat working-class people who earn their living. This is not right. The state's responsibility should be to support the citizens who work for a living, but what we are witnessing is the opposite."
Angdembe urged the government to determine and disclose the circumstances that drove Ganesh Nepali to self-immolation.
"While he was still able to speak, Ganesh had reportedly told his family how he had been harassed. The matter must be investigated seriously and the facts brought to light. It won’t be good if this kind of situation continues," he said.
He also condemned what he described as the state's mistreatment of ride-sharing drivers, noting that they are self-employed workers.
"Ride-sharing is a platform used by workers who struggle to earn a living and support their families. It is not right for the state to mistreat these same workers for parking their motorcycles by the roadside," he said.
Angdembe called for an impartial investigation into the incident and action against those found guilty.
He also urged the government to take effective measures to prevent the mistreatment of ride-sharing drivers.
