Hope for the Gurkhas?

[saltysplash]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8036036.stm


What makes me laugh is that ms Lumley actually says she "trusts" Gordon Brown to do the right thing.

Ive got a feeling she may be let down even more than these Soldiers have been let down

[Jimbuna]

Actually by using/implying the word "trust" in public, she has heaped enormous public pressure on the PM :cool:

Let us hope the correct/honourable decision is decided upon in the end :up:

http://www.entity.cc/ICONS/military/ghurka-3.gif

[Letum]

She is a sly one!

[JALU3]

While you are at it, why doesn't the MoD allow for the creation for a Sikh regiment, or should it be said the return of a Sikh regiment into the British Army.

[Tribesman]

or should it be said the return of a Sikh regiment into the British Army.
It should not be said because there never was one , the local regiments were part of the Indian army not the British army , the only exceptions were the Indian european regiments which became part of the British army after the mutiny and the ghurkas who became part of the British army in 1948 .
Ive got a feeling she may be let down even more than these Soldiers have been let down
Have they really been let down though ? When they signed up for service was residency or citizenship part of the deal they agreed to?

[Letum]

While you are at it, why doesn't the MoD allow for the creation for a Sikh regiment, or should it be said the return of a Sikh regiment into the British Army.

It was considered back in 2007 to create a new one.
There never was one before.
The problem is, that unlike the Gurkha, Scots and Welsh regiments, who
recruit based on nationality, a Sikh regiment would have to recruit based
on ethnicity.

That is a whole can of worms the army doesn't want to go near. Ethnic
segregation in the army is bad enough and I doubt it would be considered
if it was a all black regiment. Also there are problems about recruiting
people of mixed ethnicity. Would they have to pass some sort of ethnic
purity test?

With the Gurkha, Scots and Welsh regiments it is far easier. All you need
is Nepalese, Scottish or Welsh nationality, race doesn't come into it.

It's a shame. I would love to see a proud Sikh regiment, but the
potential issues it would almost certainly create are unacceptable.

[saltysplash]

.

Have they really been let down though ? When they signed up for service was residency or citizenship part of the deal they agreed to?


Only those who have applied for residency and been refused have been let down. I doubt very much every person who ever served has applied. The injustice of declining residency to soldiers of the crown compared to others allowed residency claiming aslyum is rather unfair. IMO

So yes I think they have been let down

[JALU3]

I stand corrected.
But aren't the Gurkha's not all nepalise, but a specific ethnicity that happen to be majority from Nepal?

[Letum]

I stand corrected.
But aren't the Gurkha's not all nepalise, but a specific ethnicity that happen to be majority from Nepal?

"Gurkha" does refer to an ethnicity, but the British army accepts any
Nepalese person to become a Gurkha (regardless of ethnicity).

Ethnic Gurkha's come from Northern India and Nepal, but Army Gurkha's
are Nepalese, not Ethnic Gurkha by necessity.

I remember seeing a Gurkha bagpiper once. Always good to see these
modern Spartans about. Long may it continue.

[bookworm_020]

Hope it does get resolved, they give there lives to serve another country, they deserve a fair go

[bookworm_020]

Good news! They have Won!:rock:

http://www.smh.com.au/world/joanna-lumley-celebrates-as-britain-announces-climbdown-on-gurkha-settlement-rights-20090522-bhe9.html

[Jimbuna]

It's about time the political con merchants made a correct decision :sunny:

http://www.entity.cc/ICONS/military/ghurka-3.gif

[Platapus]

I like Gurkhas. But then I like pretty much any pickle.

[mr chris]

At last these great servants of the UK get what they deserve. That is the same rights as other members of the British Army.

[OneToughHerring]

What about all the other groups like, for example, Maoris? Do they get the same deal?

[mr chris]

What about all the other groups like, for example, Maoris? Do they get the same deal?

NZ army different kettle of fish.

[Jimbuna]

What about all the other groups like, for example, Maoris? Do they get the same deal?

You need to be asking that of the woolie backs.

[OneToughHerring]

NZ army different kettle of fish.

Were the Maoris in the ANZAC - troops even in WW2? Hmm, for some reason I thought they fought under the British flag. My mistake.

[mr chris]

I believe they fought under the New Zealand flag in both world wars.
Though like the Gurkha's they are great soldiers and very brave to boot.
A Maori who is a member of the NZ SAS won a VC for his actions in Afghanistan in 2004.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willie_Apiata