Nepal, July 14 -- The agonising death after self-immolation of ride hailing driver Ganesh Nepali in Kathmandu last week was triggered by repeated traffic violation fines that added to his financial strain.

The tragedy once again sharpened the divide between supporters and opponents of Prime Minister Balendra Shah's government. Critics pointed to the recent drastic hike in traffic fines, the insensitivity of the Metro Police and the lack of empathy or any messages of contrition from the government.

Instead, what we saw was an attempt to pass the blame to the previous government and insensitive comments about suicide from RSP supporters on social media. But what took the cake was the coordinated blockade of some media companies and busin...