‘If the UK Refuses to Pay 30 Billion, Gurkha Recruitment Must Be Suspended’

Thousands of Nepalis shed blood even in world wars that Nepal was not officially part of. While some have celebrated these acts as heroic tales of Nepali valor, many interpret them as stories of discrimination and exploitation. Was Gurkha recruitment a saga of heroism or a lament of injustice? “I say they exploited us. My British colleagues say it’s worse than exploitation; you were mistreated and demeaned,” says Gyanraj Rai, Campaign Director of the British Gurkha Satyagraha Joint Struggle Committee. On Monday, talks between the Government of Nepal and the United Kingdom will take place regarding the demands raised by former Gurkha soldiers, with Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal among the participants.

In an interview with Gyanraj Rai, he shared, “I have been living mostly in the UK since 2006. I stay there to engage in political lobbying and to communicate our plight through the global media based there. For nearly 20 years, I have been representing our cause to the British public.” Discussing the mistreatment of Gurkhas by the British, he added, “Calling it exploitation is actually an understatement.”

Although it is commonly said that 445,000 Gurkhas served in the First and Second World Wars, Rai claims that over 800,000 Nepalis have served for Britain. He further noted, “More than 290,000 sacrificed their lives. The harrowing memories of war drove many to madness. Now, the British himself fight vigorously on this issue.”

During the negotiations with the UK, Rai insists on clarity concerning the terms of Gurkha recruitment and the issue of discrimination, stating, “If the UK does not provide compensation of 30 billion rupees, Gurkha recruitment must be halted.” He appealed to the Nepalese government to treat the matter seriously. “If discussions with the UK fail to resolve the issues, we will resort to a hunger strike,” he added.