Gurkhas, praised the world over as the ‘bravest of the brave’, are gathering outside the British parliament on Wednesday to demand the right to stay in Britain and be paid army pensions at par with other British soldiers.

Thousands of retired Gurkhas, who have fought for Britain in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Falklands, as well as guarding the protectorate of Hong Kong before its independence, began their protest in central London to highlight what they call their unfair treatment by the British Army.

Under British laws, Gurkhas who retired after 1997 can automatically stay in Britain but those who retired earlier must either leave Britain or apply to stay.

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 (260 dollars, 166 euros) 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.”

Martial history

• Gurkhas claim descent from the Hindu Rajputs of Northern India, who entered modern Nepal from the west. Guru Gorkhanath had a Rajput Prince-disciple, the legendary Bappa Rawal, born Prince Kalbhoj/Prince Shailadhish, founder of the Royal house of Mewar, who became the first Gurkha(Gorkha) and is said to be the ancestor of the present Royal family of Nepal.
• The motto of the Gurkha is: “Better to die than be a coward”
• More than 200,000 Gurkhas have fought for Britain around the world. Thirteen have been awarded the Victoria Cross
• About 43,000 Gurkhas died fighting in the two world wars
• The first Gurkhas were recruited into the British Army in 1815 after the Victorians identified them as a “martial race”, naturally warlike and aggressive. Gurkhas still carry into battle a traditional 18in curved knife, or khukri
• About 28,000 Nepalese youths enter the notoriously tough Gurkha selection process every year to compete for just over 200 places
• Around 3,500 Gurkhas currently serve in the British army. They are now based at Shorncliffe near Folkestone, Kent.

Support : Online Petition

We appeal everybody to support Gurkhas by signing an online petition posted on Mr. Brown’s Downing Street website. It can be signed at

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Gurkha-soldiers