Ghurkas Return Medals in Protest Over Pensions and Citizenship
LONDON (AFP) - Gurkha veterans gave back military medals on Wednesday in protest at “disgracefully low” pensions and called for the right to live in Britain in return for years of fighting alongside British troops.
About 50 Gurkhas, dressed in regimental ties and their distinctive khaki hats, handed over their medals outside parliament to call for their monthly pension of some 131 pounds to be substantially raised.
That compares with pensions of about 1,000 pounds for regular British troops.
The British government increased the pension last year by 19 percent to its current level, but the Gurkhas say the improved amount is insufficient to live on even in their native Nepal.
Arkumar Gurung, 42, who saw duty in the invasion of Iraq in 2003 during a 19-year career, said: “Our pension is an insult, a disgrace. I was proud to be a British soldier but our British colleagues who retire get so much more than us for doing the same service.
“I gave half my active life for Britain. We deserve more.”
Dewan Gurung, 46, who served in the army for 23 years including tours in Bosnia, Sierra Leone and the Falkland islands, said: “We are not asking for anything more than we deserve.”