The Gurkha Struggle for Justice: Progress, Pitfalls, and Possibilities

By Lokendra Dhakal फ्रेब्रवरी ५, २०२५

The issue of inequality in the treatment of Gurkha soldiers by the British establishment has a long history. However, these issues have received limelight only since the 1990s, when retired Gurkhas became more vocal in advocating for fair treatment and recognition. In order to resolve many of these historical issues, they have pursued legal means, taken direct action, launched public advocacy campaigns, and sought diplomatic redress.

Although activism has led to some gains, including the right to immigrate to the UK, many issues—particularly those related to pension disparities—remain unresolved. The Government of Nepal and the United Kingdom have been engaging in bilateral dialogue for some time now, but no concrete outcome has emerged so far. This remains a highly pertinent issue concerning the Gurkhas and involving both the Nepalese and UK governments.

Therefore, the Centre for Nepal Studies UK (CNSUK), under its newly launched Nepal Dialogue UK Webinar Series, convened a panel discussion entitled Resolving Gurkha Grievances: Progress and Possibilities on 1st February 2025. This event aimed to provide updates on the latest developments and discuss the possibilities and way forward in resolving Gurkha grievances by engaging expert panellists on the issue.

Background and CNSUK’s Role
Since its establishment in 2007, CNSUK has been actively involved in conducting research studies and fostering a nuanced understanding of Nepalis and Gurkhas in the UK. In 2013, the organisation published an extensive research report, British Gurkha Pension Policies and Ex-Gurkha Campaigns: A Review, which provided policy guidelines aimed at addressing long-standing concerns. The report also documented the campaigns carried out by various Gurkha organisations.
In 2014, CNSUK presented these policy recommendations to the All-Party Parliamentary Committee on Gurkhas and has since participated in numerous discussions with ex-soldier groups and academic forums to raise awareness about Gurkha grievances.

Webinar Highlights
The webinar featured a distinguished panel of speakers, each contributing their expertise and perspectives on the issue:

-Alex Baker, MP for Aldershot and Farnborough – Chair, All-Party Parliamentary Committee on Nepal
-Maj. Judbahadur Gurung – Ex-Gurkha, negotiator, British Gurkha Case
-Premila van Ommen – Director, Gurkha Equal Rights
-Cllr. Alex Crawford – Founder, We Love the Gurkhas group

The guest of honour was H.E. Ambassador Chandra Kumar Ghimire, Nepal’s Ambassador to the UK.

Key Takeaways from the Discussion
The panellists emphasised that while discussions regarding Gurkha grievances are still ongoing, progress to date has been disappointingly minimal. Despite continued efforts in government-to-government negotiations, there is a growing need for stronger engagement and leadership to resolve the issue amicably.

H.E. Ambassador Chandra Kumar Ghimire highlighted the 1947 Tripartite Agreement and its provision for equal rights for Gurkhas, similar to British soldiers. He underscored the importance of negotiations and continuous diplomatic engagement to secure a fair resolution.

Alex Baker MP expressed her full support for ex-Gurkha pensions and other issues and promised to initiate respectful government-to-government discussions. She also encouraged Gurkhas and their descendants to increase their political engagement, whether through writing to their respective MPs or seeking political representation.

Maj. Judbahadur Gurung voiced frustration over the negotiation process, stating that the British government’s latest inquiry into an “affordable pension proposal” was difficult to comprehend. He emphasised that the main challenge remains the issue of retrospective pension offers, which have yet to be adequately addressed.

Cllr. Alex Crawford strongly supported the demand for equal pensions for Gurkha veterans, asserting that they deserve financial security and dignity in retirement, comparable to their British counterparts.

Premila van Ommen highlighted that the primary grievances revolve around pension disparity and unfair redundancies, among other issues. She stressed the need for continued advocacy to bring about substantive changes.

The Way Forward

CNSUK remains committed to working collaboratively with both the British government and ex-Gurkha soldiers, along with their organisations and families, to ensure that fair solutions are achieved. By generating knowledge through research, necessary for constructive dialogue and sustained advocacy, CNSUK hopes to contribute to a positive outcome for Gurkhas, who have long served with unwavering loyalty and dedication.

The webinar served as a crucial platform to inform the wider public, ex-Gurkha soldiers, and their families about the current status of negotiations and the path forward. CNSUK will persist in its efforts to support the Gurkha cause and push for equitable treatment and recognition.