By Deepak Joshi Pokhrel
The tragic incident that rocked the nation has exposed our political system controlled by corrupt and unaccountable leaders to the core. It has also highlighted how our government has been indifferences to the plight and grievances of the people ever since we restored democracy. The death of Prem Prasad Acharya has sent a chill down our spine compelling us to think that we live in a society where people with access to power.
Prem Bhakta Acharya who hailed from Illam had a difficult death. On Tuesday, he sets himself on fire in front of the Parliament building at Baneshwore, Kathmandu. Soon after, social media were inundated with videos showing the incident. The video showed Acharya immolating himself while Prachanda was just leaving the parliament with a motorcade. Acharya was rushed to the Kirtipur-based hospital. But it was too late as, according to the doctor, 80 per cent of the body had burn injuries by the time Acharya was admitted to the hospital. On Wednesday, he breathed his last.
The death of Acharya has raised many questions that need convincing explanations. His untimely demise has also questions over the accountability of our government, political leaders and bureaucrats across the country. We cannot undo the incident but can bring those responsible to book who compelled him to take such a harsh decision that cut his life short.
Before he immolates himself, Acharya had written a long Facebook note describing his struggles. In the note, he had expressed dissatisfaction over how the state has been failing to monitor the illegal activities of big corporate houses and other high-voltage scams. Likewise, Acharya had also repeatedly offered several suggestions to ensure good governance. But to no avail.
Acharya had also time and again raised his concerns to ensure a conducive environment to operate trade in the country. He was very much mindful of the fact that a large number of skilled youths had been migrating to the Middle East and other countries to engage in demeaning, dangerous and dirty jobs that endangered their lives.
Acharya’s death reflects the abject failure of the state on multiple fronts.
Ever since we restored the country, the people have been expressing dissatisfaction over poor governance, misrule and rampant corruption. Many people say that it is the ultimate expression of frustration over the government, politicians and bureaucrats across the country. They argue that people resort to such extreme steps as they are unable to secure a job despite having all the necessary credentials. Their explanation is convincing as we live in a society where one must have connectivity with political heavyweights to secure a job in any sector — be it government or non-government. In plain words, what generally matters in our society is political connectivity and not academic background to secure tender and job.
‘Hundreds of people primarily young took to Kathmandu’s streets on Wednesday afternoon over Achary’s death. The protesters rallied from Maitighar to New Baneshwore to the spot where Acharya had immolated himself. The protestors lamented the loss of life of the youth who was victimised by the country’s existing socio-economic status. With a protest dubbed ‘Kathmandu Uprising,’ the protestors carried placards that read ‘it’s a murder, not suicide’
Even political leaders have been saying that it is the abject failure of the state and its continued indifferences towards its citizens. Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Thapa has this to tweet. The incident is not the failure of the individual but of the whole state’s mechanisms and system. Likewise, the mayor of the Kathmandu Metropolitan said that “each and every unit, department and organ of the state has failed.
Tuesday’s tragedy in Baneshwore in front of the parliament should be a national reckoning. We have talked about meritocracy and non-discriminatory society. The state’s failure to ensure good governance has plagued us for years and it has been detrimental for people like us who have no access to power in the echelon. If a video of a policeman hitting a bagger makes us angry, the tragedy in Baneshwore should shake us from deep inside. Acharya’s death should not be forgotten. His life was cut short by the abject failure of the state.
We must do our part to heal the wound and walk-in steps to make our state accountable to the people. To start with, we must be critical and rational in thinking while electing the politicians who form the government. We must ensure that it becomes a turning in the way our state treats people having no access to power. Finally, we must reach out to the bereaved family and console them on moral ground. Though the tragedy cannot be undone, we must do our part so that no one takes such extreme steps as a failure of the state.
To sum up, we hope that no one in the future resort to such extreme steps to end his/her life as a result of the abject failure of the state. We also hope that the state will own the responsibility for failing to ensure good governance, nabbing criminals and ensuring rule of law. Achary’s story reflects the condition of hundreds of youth in the country and we cannot afford to see such tragedy in future.
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