KATHMANDU: In a alarming escalation of public desperation, another youth attempted self-immolation in Sarlahi, just as furious protests erupted across the capital on Friday demanding the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Balen Shah following the tragic death of 25-year-old Ganesh Nepali.

Thirty-five-year-old Bibek Mandal is in critical condition after pouring petrol on himself and attempting self-immolation in Godaita Municipality-10, Sarlahi.

Following the incident, a rescue helicopter was dispatched to airlift Mandal and arrangements have been made for his treatment at no cost, Sarlahi-4 MP Amresh Kumar Singh shared on his Facebook page.

The fresh suicide attempt in Sarlahi underscores a deepening wave of public outrage that reached a boiling point on Friday morning at Bir Hospital, where Ganesh Nepali, a native of Mugu, succumbed to severe burn injuries. Nepali had set himself on fire on Thursday following a heated dispute with municipal police.

The tragedy echoed heavily inside parliament, triggering a fierce backlash from opposition lawmakers.

Speaking during zero hour in the National Assembly, Nepali Communist Party (NCP) lawmaker Bishnu Bahadur Bishwakarma launched a scathing attack on the government’s handling of the incident.

“A person burning in flames is dragged to the hospital like a criminal, while the police officers on the scene run away from the fire,” MP Bishwakarma stated. “Those traffic police, municipal police, and the personnel who dragged him must face the strictest punishment. This cruel government forced Ganesh Nepali to die. If there is any morality left, the Balen government must resign immediately and step down.”

The criticism continued in the House of Representatives, where Basana Thapa, the Chief Whip of the main opposition party, Nepali Congress, slammed Prime Minister Shah for maintaining silence on the issue.

“Prime Minister, why your silence on yesterday’s tragedy? When you were in the opposition, you ruthlessly questioned the state’s failures, but today, when you lead the government, why are you running away from answering the same questions?” Thapa asked.

Criticizing the administration for failing to ensure citizen security, she added, “It is time for you to take off your black sunglasses and see the problems of the people.”

Following the news of Nepali’s death, an angry crowd of relatives and supporters gathered at Bir Hospital, prompting authorities to upgrade security at the facility.

The family is demanding immediate legal action against federal authorities and a review of the policies that drove him to the extreme step.

Meanwhile, youth groups staged a massive protest at Maitighar Mandala, directly targeting the Prime Minister’s national policies and his centralized approach to governance.

Demonstrators marched with placards reading, “Prime Minister Balen, your high-handedness drove Ganesh to self-immolation,” “Down with state terror,” and “Is there no room for the poor and youth in your new Nepal, Balen?”

The protesters are demanding immediate accountability from the Prime Minister’s Office and systemic justice for Nepali, marking a major political challenge for PM Balen’s administration.