Former British Gurkha soldiers and their family members

Former British Gurkha soldiers and their family members (Photo Source BBC)
Nearly two thousand former British Gurkha soldiers and their family members staged a demonstration in front of House of Commons—the British parliament—in London on Wednesday calling for equal pension and other benefits vis a vis their British counterparts.

Addressing the gathering, president of Gurkha Army Ex-Servicemen’s Organisation (GAESO), Padam Bahadur Gurung, said over 60,000 Gurkhas had lost their lives while serving fro the British empire in the World War I, II and others. He accused the British government of sending thousands of former British Gurkhas empty-handed after they had taken part in various battles around the world.

President of British Gurkha Welfare Society, Retd. Major Tikendra Dal Dewan, said the British government’s recent announcement to provide equal pension and other benefits to Gurkha soldiers who had retired after July 1997 was no more than a gimmick. “The so-called cut off line is not scientific and pension and other benefits should be awarded without discriminations to all the former British Gurkha soldiers,” he added.

Hundreds of former British Gurkha veterans — donning Gurkha hat and displaying various medals pinned on their uniform — toook part in the demonstration.

“It may be good for me but it won’t be good for everyone”

“It may be good for me but it won’t be good for everyone”
Saran Limbu
(Photo Source BBC)

Expressing solidarity with the Gurkha movement, Liberal Democratic MP of the British parliament, Peter Carroll, said the 1997 cut off date was unjustified and that it was wrong for UK to continue to discriminate against people who had defended the UK and even laid their lives while protecting the country and crown.

A delegation of former Gurkhas later handed over a petition at the 10 Downing Street—the office of Prime Minister Tony Blair, and held a meeting with Veterans Minister of the British government, Derek Twiggs.

“We will continue our fight for equal rights on the streets as well as in court rooms against the discriminatory policies of the British government,” said Mahendra Lal Rai, Secretary of GAESO.

British authorities, however, refute allegations that there has been discrimination against British Gurkha soldiers serving in the British army.

Nearly 3,500 Gurkha soldiers are currently serving in the British army.