Gurkha victory in settlement rights
Bowing to public and political pressure, Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s government has announced a major policy u-turn that will allow nearly 40,000 veteran Gurkha soldiers the right to settle in Britain. The tough Nepalese fighters have been a part of the British army for nearly 200 years and 43,000 lost their lives in the two World Wars.
Actress Joanna Lumley was close to tears as she listened to Home Secretary Jacqui Smith tell the Commons that Gurhkas had equal settlement rights. Ms Smith said: “I’m delighted that we have now been able to agree - across Government, across the House and with the Gurkhas’ representatives - new settlement rights that all those who have served us so well, so highly deserve.”
Gurung re-elected as GAESO president
Padam Bahadur Gurung has been re-elected as the President of Gurkha Army Ex-Servicemen’s Organization (GAESO). The 2nd National Convention of the association of former Gurkha servicemen of the British Army concluded in the capital city Tuesday electing Krishna Kumar Gurung and Kul Pratap Pun to the post of Vice-President, Mahendra Lal Rai and Kamala Rai as General Secretary and Jit Bahadur Rai as Treasurer.
Similarly, the convention also elected 9 others as members.
We are for settlement right to all ex-Gurkhas: Major (Retd.) Dewan
Chairman of the British Gurkha Welfare Society (BGWS), a major Gurkha organisation in UK, Major (Retd.) Tikendra Dal Dewan has reiterated that BGWS is in favor of settlement right to all ex-Gurkhas irrespective of when they got retired.
Major Dewan said that 292 petitions filed by the BGWS on behalf of ex-Gurkha soldiers seeking settlement rights in UK are still pending at the British courts. He also urged media to be responsible and not to be swayed by rumours. He said BGWS was ready to take part in a public hearing conducted by a panel of distinguished independent personalities, if still there were any doubts.
Gurkhas’ joy at legal victory
The High Court in London, Tuesday, ended the two-year legal battle of former British Gurkha soldiers by ruling in favour of them. Gurkha war heroes have won the right to stay in Britain after the Government was ordered to recognise its ‘debt of honour’ to them.
Veterans wept with joy and bellowed the traditional war cry of ‘Ayo Gorkhali!’ - ‘the Gurkhas are coming!’ - after the landmark judgment. More than 2,000 former Gurkhas were refused permission to live here because they had retired before July 1, 1997.
Immigration officials said they had not shown ’strong ties’ to Britain, despite 200 years of Army service in which Gurkhas have won 13 Victoria Crosses. But following a campaign supported by the Daily Mail, a High Court judge condemned the policy as ‘ unlawful’ and ordered Jacqui Smith to review the immigration guidelines urgently. Mr Justice Blake added that it was ‘irrational’ that bureaucrats did not take Army service or gallantry medals into account when considering applications.
Actress Lumley marches with the Gurkhas
Actress Joanna Lumley has taken part in a protest march with Gurkhas who are fighting for the right to settle in Britain.
The Absolutely Fabulous actress led Gurkhas and their families to the Royal Courts of Justice in London for a test case being brought by five veterans and a widow.
Ms Lumley said before the hearing: “My own father served with the Gurkhas for 30 years. Indeed, he saw action as a Chindit in Burma with Victoria Cross winner Honorary Lieutenant Tul Bahadur Pun.
“Like so many people in Britain I am ashamed at how successive governments have failed these magnificent and loyal soldiers.
“The overwhelming wish of the British is to allow them to live here with us if they so choose. I sincerely hope the court finds in their favour.”
Gurkhas who retired from the British Army after 1997, when their base was moved from Hong Kong to Kent, can automatically stay in the UK.
