"We are happy with the court verdict as it has recognised those who fought bloody battles for Britain at different fronts in the past," Jit Bahadur Rai, treasurer of GAESO, told Nepali Times, "but the pension and perks are not at par with British counterparts."

The Gurkhas served the British Army since 1816 but only those who have retired after 1997, were considered eligible to settle in the UK. Two years back, prime minister Tony Blair had announced Indefinite Leave to Entry (ILE) provisions applying a cutoff date of 1 July, 1997, when their base was moved from Hong Kong to the UK. An ex-Gurkha also has to complete four years of service in the British army to apply for ILE. This decision will now be applicable to those who had retired before 1997 as well.

An estimated 5,000 ex-Gurkhas and their families have already migrated to the UK. The number of migrants is expected to rise after Tuesday's decision of the court. The British army pensioners contribute Rs 8 billion to Nepal's national income, and this is expected to decrease significantly as more and more Gurkhas and their families decide to emigrate.

"We are not fighting for right to live in the UK or dual citizenship. We are fighting for equal treatment," Rai says, "It is up to the government to decide."

Rai argues that the ex-Gurkhas were forced to migrate due to meager pension they get. The Maoists insurgency could be partly blamed for the migration of British pensioners in the past. "Now the country's situation is getting better and if they get pension as British counterparts, I don't think anyone would like to leave the country," he said.

The campaigners say it was a historic victory of the Gurkhas, which has encouraged them further to fight for equal treatment with British soldiers. Another issue of the discrepancy in pensions for those retired after 1997 and those before also needs to be resolved.

"The fight is not over yet," said Surendra KC, TU professor who lobbied on behalf of the Gurkhas, "the campaign will continue until all discriminatory provisions on Gurkhas are completely eliminated."

Dewan Rai

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Still fighting - From Issue #418 (19 SEPT 2008 - 25 SEPT 2008)