Gurkhas betrayed by the British Government
(24 April 2009)

Border and Immigration Minister Phil Woolas today (24 April 2009) released a statement announcing that the government will use new criteria to consider applications from former members of the Brigade of Gurkhas who want to settle in the UK. Opponents have strongly criticised the Government for betraying the Gurkhas who have been part of the British Army for almost 200 years. Actress and Gurkha-rights campaigner, Joanna Lumley, accused ministers of leaving a "stain on our national character" by failing to honour a court ruling that gives Gurkha veterans the right to settle in Britain. Campaigners say there has been wrangling in Whitehall about the likely cost, although the numbers looking to settle in Britain is below 50,000.

Mr Woolas said: "This guidance honours the service, commitment and gallantry of those who served with the Gurkhas brigade. Where there are strong reasons, there has been scope for Gurkhas who retired prior to July 1997 to apply to settle in the UK. In fact, because of rules brought in by the Government, we have already welcomed around 6,000 Gurkhas and family members to Britain. Now, another 10,000 Gurkhas and family members will be able to benefit from our revised guidance. We will work with the Ministry of Defence to actively inform those who might be eligible in Nepal of these changes."

The Hindu Council issued a statement saying "we feel that the Government has once again betrayed the Gurkhas."

"The Home Office issued new guidance on Friday 24 April 2009 which they said was designed to make it easier for Gurkhas to qualify for settlement. But the new rules have been criticised rightly so by our Gurkha brothers. Some 200,000 Gurkhas fought for Britain in World Wars I and II and more than 45,000 died in British uniform. Around 3,500 Gurkhas currently serve in the British army, including in Iraq and Afghanistan" said Suryaparsad Upadhya, a retired Major who is the Gurkha Representative for the Hindu Council UK.

"The government claims under the new ruling about 4,000 Gurkhas who retired from the army before 1997 will be allowed to live in the UK. But our Gurkha brothers believe that in fact only a tiny fraction of ex gurkhas will meet the criteria set by the Goverment and qualify. Our Gurkha brothers say the guidelines still prevent Gurkhas, who used to be based in Church Crookham, from having the same settlement rights as Commonwealth soldiers. Those who might qualify include awards for bravery, a chronic medical condition attributable to military service, 20 years or more of service or having close family in the UK."

"At the moment, only Gurkha soldiers who retired after 1997- when their base moved from Hong Kong to Britain - have the automatic right to stay permanently. Other foreign soldiers in the British army can settle in Britain after four years' service."

A Retired Gurkha Major who was allowed to settled in Britain under the October 2004 ruling after 32 years service told the Hindu Council that he is totally unhappy with the Goverment's decision because so many of the veterans and comrades who have served during the Wars, in the Borneo Confrontation, the Falklands Campaign and the Gulf war cannot stay in Britain. He further pointed out that when he joined the Gurkhas, most of them were told that the gurkhas had to serve 15 years, but now the British government are saying Gurkhas had to serve 20 years as one of their criteria. He feels that this is total discrimination.

The Hindu Council has always maintained that the government should honour the service, commitment and gallantry of those who served with the Brigade of Gurkhas and give all retired gurkhas the automatic right to stay in UK.

Who are the Gurkhas?

Gurkhas have been part of the British Army for almost 200 years. The soldiers are hand-picked from a recruitment contest in Nepal to win the right to join. They have fought for the British all over the world, including both of the world wars. They serve in a variety of roles, mainly in the infantry but also as engineers, logisticians and signals specialists. The name 'Gurkha' comes from the hill town of Gorkha, from which the Nepalese kingdom had expanded.