History of British Gurkha servicemen is prideful, says Deuba

Patan (Lalitpur), June 21: Former Prime Minster and Nepali Congress (NC) President Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that the history of British Gurkha servicemen was worth glorifying.

At a programme organized here today to release a book ‘Sugauli Treaty and Citizenship in Nepal’ written by Senior Advocate Dr Chandra Kant Gyawali, NC President Deuba said that the gallantry, hard work, dedication and discipline of British Gurkha servicemen is appreciated across the world.

He said that the Gurkha servicemen made significant contributions to the British government by fighting for the British regime in the First Word War and the Second World War. “Nepalis are serving the British Army even today. The British Gurkha force has been established as a crucial entity of Nepal-UK relations in the present time,” Deuba added.

Saying that the British Gurkha servicemen have been raising the issues of equal pay and their rights, Deuba stated that Nepal government’s position for equal pay has been clearly communicated with the British officials.

“I am clear that the British Gurkha servicemen too should get equal services and facilities getting by the other army personnel there (in Britain). The British Gurkha servicemen have been continuously raising the issue of Nepali citizenship. In this connection, Nepal’s political parties should reach a conclusion by holding discussions on this issue,” Deuba stated.

Over the issue of Nepali citizenship to the British Gurkha servicemen, former Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai also seconded the views of NC President Deuba.

Writer of the book, Dr Gyawali, said that the British Gurkha servicemen should not be deprived to obtain Nepali citizenship by descent.