KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 15
After the much-prolonged irresponsive attitude of the British government, the first tripartite discussion finally took place at the Ministry of Defence in the United Kingdom last week. The parties present were the Gurkha representatives, Nepali government ambassador and the British government diplomats.
The purpose of the tripartite discussion was to highlight a greater awareness and better understanding of the grievances expressed by the Gurkha Veterans, and to work towards a resolution, according to participiants.
Representing the Gurkhas were, retired Major Jud Bahadur Gurung (chief negotiator), hunger strikers Puspha Rana Ghale, as well as Dhan Bahadur Gurung amongst Gyan Chandra Acharya (Nepal's Ambassador to UK), Roshan Khanal (Deputy Chief of Mission/Counsellor). Dr Andrew Murrison (Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families) led a delegation of ten other British diplomats.
Around 150 supporters, travelling from afar, gathered outside the building chanting "no justice, no peace! Loyalty versus equality, Ayo Gorkhali!"
The meeting ended after a deliberation of around an hour. The chief negotiator, Major Jud Bahadur Gurung, confirmed the British representatives refused to discuss the pension disparity, limiting the issues to only welfare of Gurkhas living in the UK. The Gurkhas representatives took a firm stance in that the discussion must include all grievance, including pensions, faced by Gurkhas living in the UK and Nepal. Following this, Dr. Andrew Murrison requested further time to study the Gurkhas' issues comprehensively as he has only been in office for two days.
Major Jud Bahadur said, "Mr Murrison is a junior minister and probably cannot make big decisions, but we will give them the opportunity. I have made it clear that all grievances must be addressed as a top-most priority and if failing, the repercussion are huge, both here and in Nepal."
Yet again, the Gurkhas are left in anticipation by the British government. It has been over a week since the government-to-government dialogue took place and a date for further meeting is yet to be set.
Many who attended in support were left wondering; will the British government uphold their word? Is the time extension a further tactic to delay addressing the issues? Many feel the blatant lack of preparation is a reflection of how the Gurkhas have been treated in the past and a continuation of the British government's indifference. Hunger striker Pusha Rana Ghale said, "perhaps they are waiting for all the old former Gurkhas to die so they don't have to talk at all, not many of us are now left."
Despite the disappointment of an inconclusive meeting what is, however, evidently clear is the Gurkhas' unfaltering determination to have their voice heard.
