‘Call to address demands of Ex-Gurkhas’

Kathmandu, Nov 6  Various experts and stakeholders have underlined the need to carry on the struggle of ex- British Gurkha veterans longing for equality, prestige and human rights in an intellectual and positive way. The remarks were made at a seminar ”Satyagraha for equality, esteem and human rights of ex-British Gurkha’ organized by Ex-British Gurkha Satyagraha Struggle Committee in the capital. The speakers have highlighted the need for government, civil society and ex-Gurkhas to put coordinated efforts for resolving the problem of ex-Gurklhas, who have been reeling under discrimination and suppression meted out by the British government since long. Likewise, the experts also pledged to take ahead the insistence for truth for equality and honour of ex-Gurkhas in an intellectual way and continue the struggle for rights even by knocking the door of international court. Dr Yubaraj Sangraula, former attorney general, said there is no alternative but to bring government, civil society and intellectual community to the struggle pitching for justice for Gurkhas who have been suppressed from different aspects, including financial benefits and recognition. “The ex-Gurkha’s struggle was not only for equal pay and pension but also a fight for a sovereign and independent country as well as for equality”, he added. Biswokanta Mainali, senior advocate, said insistence for truth (Satyagraha) was the right move to seek justice and human rights from British government and also called for all to unite for the justice and recognition of ex-Gurkhas. Former State Minister Dilman Pakhrin and former lawmaker Jayanti Rai urged Nepal government to take initiative with the British government to address the demands of ex-Gurkhas. Advocates Rabnarayan Khanal, Gyanu Gautam, Kapildev Dhakal, Ramchandra Gautam, Dr Kumar Sharma and Kumar Ingnam and Prof Ganesh Man Gurung had presented working papers on different aspects of the struggle of ex-Gurkha for justice. Senior advocate Sunil Pokharel, Dr Krishna Adhikari, ex-Additional Inspector General of Nepal Police Rabiraj Thapa and researcher Gaurav KC rendered comments on the working papers calling for the collective efforts of government and civil society to tackle the issue. Meanwhile, the two-day workshop concluded in the capital on Tuesday has adopted a seven-point declaration calling for unified struggle for justice and human rights of ex-Girkhas. The workshop drew a conclusion that the British government has breached the principle of equality and human rights to met out injustice to ex-Gurkhas. The ex-Girkahs struggle committee has asked the Nepal government to immediately initiate dialogue with British government citing the reference of the report of Parliamentary Committee of International Relations. There are around 15,000 retired Gurkha veterans and 3,000 Gurkhas in British Army.