KATHMANDU, Sept 1: British Gurkha Army Ex-Servicemen's Organization (BGAESO), the Singapore Gurkha Department, staged a protest at Maitighar Mandala on Thursday for justice and equality. The department protested against the changes in the Singapore government, at the expense of the Gurkhas who have enhanced Singapore's internal security.
The department protested saying that the Gurkhas' reputation for loyalty and bravery had been undermined even though they had been serving in the British Army and the Singapore Police Force for a long time. The department expressed its displeasure that the Singapore government did not recognize the contribution made by the Nepali Gurkhas to Singapore. The 'clarification of unclear identity' was the main demand of the demonstration.
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Speaking at the demonstration, Mani Sunuwar, vice-president of the Singapore Gurkha department of BGAESO, said Gurkhas were forced to raise their voice for equal pay and equality. He said that the department submitted 16 points of demands to the British Prime Minister for its solution.
Although the department submitted 16 points of demands to the British Prime Minister, instead of addressing them, the letter sent by the British Embassy in Nepal was irresponsible. In the letter, the British Embassy said that this issue is between the Government of Nepal and the Government of Singapore.
In the demonstration questions such as 'Are we British or Singaporean?’, ‘Who is responsible for us?’, ‘What is the role of Nepal government?’, ‘Aren't we enrolled under the tripartite agreement that provides for the recruitment of Nepali citizens into the British Army?' were raised.
The protestors also demanded equal wages and pensions compared to their British and Singaporean counterparts, pensions for Gurkha widows, work permits for Singaporean Gurkha couples, residential permits for Gurkha children after 21 years, family health services in Nepal and pensions and other compensation for Gurkhas who were returned empty-handed based on unsubstantiated allegations.
