UK’s opposition party expresses solidarity to Gurkha veterans’ fast-unto-death

Gurkha veterans stage a fast-unto-death outside British Prime Minister office in London. (File photo/Roy Anthony Brinkley)

NL Today

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Kathmandu: The United Kingdom’s main opposition, Labor Party, has expressed its solidarity to the struggle waged by Gurkha veterans who resorted to staging hunger strike nearby Prime Minister’s residence since last Saturday to have their demands addressed.

The Labor Party told the Boris Johnson-led incumbent government that the unequal pension pay to Gurkhas – who fought together alongside the British Army was disrespectful so it should be put to an end.

Shadow Defense Minister of the opposition party, Stephen Morgan said they had already written a letter to the Foreign Secretary to immediately take action on unequal pension pay.

Talking to local media on Wednesday, parliamentarian Morgan further said, “We are concerned and worried about the issue raised by ex-Gurkhas who served our country for 200 years. Though the government announced to end the disrespectful action two years back, it has yet to materialize into action. Such indecent acts should be immediately ended. We are in favor of Gurkhas”.

It would be noted a slur in British society when three Gurkha veterans were saying they were ready to die in want of justice.

Dhan Gurung, one of the Gurkha veterans on the strike, said, “Our ancestors sacrificed their lives to build this country but now we come to a time to sacrifice our lies for justice”.

In this context, Spokesperson of Defense Ministry said the government made arrangements of pension and treatment to Gurkhas recognizing their big contributions to the British Army and also pledged to distribute judicious pension keeping into consideration the British pension provision