- The UK was never a friend of Nepal. It did not bother to compensate the families of 60,000 Gurkha soldiers, who died in action
- The recruitment of able-bodied youths robbed life out of Nepal’s villages, causing extinction of unique cultures. During his visit, Prince Harry should pledge to revive the lost glory of these villages
- Slavery, injustice, exploitation, human smuggling and human trafficking are going on in the name of Nepal’s friendship with the UK
Pokhara, March 20
Prince Harry’s plans to meet earthquake victims, including Gurkha soldiers and their families, in their settlements has not gone well with Padam Bahadur Gurung, president of the Gurkha Army Ex-Servicemen’s Organisation.
Gurung, speaking at a press conference that GAESO had organised in Pokhara on Sunday, warned Harry not to stage a drama by showing ‘sympathy’ towards Nepal.
Apparently, Gurung has reasons behind his anger towards the United Kingdom.
The UK did not bother to provide compensation (to their dependents) even when 60,000 Gurkha soldiers died in action, Gurung pointed, describing British prince Harry’s plan to visit Gurkha soldiers and their families as nothing but a drama.
Furthermore, Gurung said there never was friendship between Nepal and England, he said, adding: Therefore, celebrating the 200th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries is meaningless.
“The UK did not bother to launch an inquiry even when Gurkha soldiers died (defending Britain in the first and second world wars), did not bother to compensate their families. How can there be friendship with a country that acts so inhumanely against another country?” England talking about friendship with Nepal is laughable as it is a country that has no regard for Nepal’s sovereignty, he said.
He said: Prince Harry should pledge to revive the lost glory and cultures of villages of Gurkha soldiers before Gurkha recruitment began.
“They (the UK) took away physically fit youngsters, robbing villages of their life. Because of them, our culture became extinct. Now, the UK should make investment to revive the lost glory of our settlements. Prince Harry should make a commitment to this effect. His visit will be meaningless if he returns home just by thanking Gurkha soldiers.”
Gurung said slavery, injustice, exploitation, human smuggling and human trafficking are going on in the name of Nepal’s friendship with the UK, he said, describing the 200 years of diplomatic ties as the period of Nepal’s utter devastation.
“The UK should clarify how many Gurkha soldiers have died in action. It should explain whether they were legally recruited or not,” Gurung said. He pointed that GAESO had handed over a memorandum comprising its demands to the British Embassy in Kathmandu a few days ago.
Shyamal Adhikari, GAESO adviser and intellectual, noted that British government has not shown concern towards 60,000 Gurkha soldiers, who died in action in different parts of the world. This is a matter of major concern, he said.
