Gurkhas decry ‘discriminatory provision’ requiring them to give up Nepali citizenship

KATHMANDU: The Gurkhas who are recruited under the terms of the Sugauli Treaty and agreement have demanded that they and their families should be allowed to remain as Nepali citizens for life.

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Gurkhas Intake 1985, organised for the first time in Nepal, the Gurkhas demanded an end to discrimination that requires them to renounce Nepali citizenship for life.

On the occasion, founder president of the organization and chief coordinator of the event Sher Bahadur Sunar urged the Government of Nepal not to make the British Gurkha soldiers and their families as non-resident citizens.

“A bilateral agreement between the UK and Nepal government should be made to respect the British Gurkhas’ sentiments by ending the discrimination that requires renunciation of Nepali citizenship for life,” he said.

Chair Lal Bahadur Limbu said that the anniversary was organized in the motherland itself as an expression of their love for the motherland and to motivate the Gurkhas to come to the motherland.

Also speaking on the occasion, Vice President Pramila Rai, General Secretary Bijaya Gurung, former President Narayan Bhandari, among others, said the Gurkhas played an important role in expanding Nepal-UK relations.

Various personalities were felicitated and a cultural programme was presented on the occasion.

Since 2004, the British government has been providing residential facilities to Gurkha soldiers and their families. The history of recruitment of Gurkhas into the British Army is 210 years old.

The United Kingdom has been recruiting Nepali youth in its army every year on the basis of the tripartite Sugauli Treaty signed between Nepal, India and Britain in 1947.

Under this, the 482 Gurkhas recruited at the same time in 1985 celebrate the anniversary every year in commemoration of the year of their recruitment.