In May, when Jacqui Smith, ex-Home Secretary, announced that all Gurkhas have been granted the right to settle in the UK, there was great celebration all round.
Joanna Lumley had influenced this decision hugely, having campaigned tirelessly to reach this settlement decision.
However, two controversial elements of the ruling rather got brushed under the carpet, while the celebrations got underway.
These are how only children of Gurkhas under the age of 18 will be eligible to settle in Britain with their parents, and Gurkhas must have served at least four years in the British Army.
Now, if you think about this more carefully, a large majority of the children of retired Gurkhas will be over the age of 18. As many of the Gurkhas I have spoken to have said, what is the use of being allowed to move to UK when your family is not allowed to join you?
Furthermore, what about all those Gurkhas who didn’t serve the required four years? Is it fare that they aren’t allowed to settle in Britain after fighting alongside British soldiers for our country?
Your comments on this are most welcome.
The British Government does not seem to be helping the Gurkhas wholeheartedly as is supposed to be as per their absolute loyalty from the days of British Empire. Even for settlement in the UK, it was not given just because the Gurkhas asked for it ; but was given only after they fought for it.
ReplyDeleteAlthough settlement was allowed after years and years of struggle, it is stilll not without a hitch. Now Gurkha families have been separarted from their children who happen to be above 18. Most of the Gurkhas who are now allowed to settle in the UK have children above 18. The Gurkhas who have come are also very old and almost all of them have wishes to spend their last days in their own homeland.
The British Government with all their guilty conscience from their past deeds, should and must allow Gurkha children above 18 to come and join their parents so that they can look after their parents as per our custom and also perceive and endeavour for their own opportunities for a better and prosperous next generation.