Gurkha veteran ends hunger strike as inquiry is announced
Parliamentary inquiry will look into concerns that remained after Gurkhas were granted right to settle in UK in 2009
A parliamentary inquiry is to be launched into grievances of Gurkha veterans including over pension rights, adult dependants, compensation, equal treatment for Gurkha widows and free medical treatment for veterans in Nepal similar to that provided for pensioners in the UK.
The investigation, backed by deputy prime minister Nick Clegg and reportedlyby David Cameron, comes amid increasing protests from the veterans over issues that remained after the then Labour government decided in 2009 that all those who retired before 1997 with at least four years’ service would be allowed to settle in Britain.
Gyanraj Rai, a 55-year-old veteran who has been on hunger strike camped opposite Downing Street, gave up his fast on Thursday as the inquiry was announced. He drank a glass of fruit juice and was presented with a box of fruit by Joanna Lumley, a long-time campaigner for Gurkha causes. Earlier this week 1,000 former Gurkhas marched down Whitehall to highlight their cause. Lumley told a crowd of campaigners: “This is a happy day for all concerned … Everything that you want to say to parliament will be heard over the next few months as a matter of extreme importance and urgency so today is a day of celebration and satisfaction and courage.”
Clegg said he fully supported the inquiry. “These incredibly brave men have served in our armed forces for nearly 200 years and they have risked and lost their lives for this country.”
Jackie Doyle-Price, the Conservative MP who chairs the all-party parliamentary group on Gurkha welfare which announced the inquiry, said:”The Gurkhas are a much-valued part of the British army and are held in high esteem and with considerable affection by the British public. There are Gurkha communities up and down the country who play a positive role in our communities. While there have been significant developments in recent years in terms of the pay and conditions of Gurkha soldiers and the extension of right to settlement there remain some outstanding grievances which the Gurkhas are determined to have addressed.”
Doyle-Price, MP for Thurrock, Essex, said the Gurkhas had a complex set of demands arising out of a 1948 agreement between Nepal, India and Britain, which they felt the UK had not necessarily honoured. There were about 100 Gurkha families “very well integrated” in her constituency.
Martin Howe, solicitor and co-founder of the Gurkha Justice Campaign, said: “This presents a unique opportunity to finally settle genuine issues of concern and allows Gurkhas to continue to be held with affection by the UK government and people.”
Rob Wilson – Conservative MP for Reading East and another supporter of Gurkha families though not on the parliamentary group – said: “I am delighted to have brokered a deal that has allowed the Gurkhas to end their hunger strike.”
I don’t think that going on hunger strike is the right way of advancing your case in a democracy but I am hugely …read more
