Settlement Rights and Social Integration of Ghurkas in United Kingdom
During the colonial period where wars are rampant in many parts of the
world, militaries engaged in different tactics just to empower their force and win in
battle. From advancing the weaponry to recruitment of military men, anything will
be tried just to have an edge over the opposing force they are fighting.
One of the notable army reinforcement of people from other lands is the
British Army. Britain recruited Ghurkas, native people from Nepal and Northern
India to serve as troops under the contract of East India Company fighting in
various wars wherein British are engaged. The Ghurkas are known for their
history of bravery and strength with their popular motto, “better to die brave than
to live coward.” In British East India Army Company, Ghurkas are designated by
British officials as “Martial Race” – a classification of people that thought to be
naturally warlike, aggressive in battle, courageous, loyal, physically strong,
resilient and strategic in military terms. After more than 200 years of serving in
British Army, Ghurkas are fighting for their rights to settle in the foreign country
they serve for long and the equal pension they deserve.
The treatment of Ghurkas and their families in United Kingdom was a
subject of controversy. Although UK is one of the few countries that relatively
tolerate immigration, post-discrimination society hasn’t still been achieved and
the local English people would want to regulate immigrants as much as possible
to preserve the national identity of Britain. Ultra-conservative people fear that in
the coming future, the local British would just be a minority of the society and
United Kingdom would be a dwelling place of mix races particularly extractions
from third world countries. Social integration is still an issue to accomplish
because segregation and discrimination among local Britons and immigrants is
still quite obvious.
One of the major issues Ghurkas face is that those who formerly serve in
the army receive smaller pensions compared to their British counterparts. In
response to this, the British Government announced on March 2007 that all
Ghurkas who signed up after 1 July 1997 would receive a pension equivalent to
their British counterparts. However, it created a public outrage pointing out that
even those who retired before July 1997 should receive the fair pension because
many former servicemen face financial uncertainty after retirement. A pressure
group called Ghurka Justice Campaign, waded into debate over the British
National Party.
Morever, in response to fight over the equal rights of Ghurkas, they would
be able to transfer to another army unit after five years of service. Also, women
would also be allowed to join the army, although not in first-line units conforming
to the British Army policy.
But the biggest battle of Ghurkas in United Kingdom is their right to settle
in the foreign land they serve staking their lives. The nationality status of Ghurkas
and their families is being an area of dispute, denying them residency and forcing
them to leave Britain. This is one of the long-fought battles Ghurkas are engaged
in. Joanna Lumley, an English actress and whose late father, James Lumley, is
an officer in the Ghurka regiment, is one of the prominent voices of Ghurkas
fighting for their rights. With the descendant of Ghurka bloodline, she is a noted
activist for the former servicemen and their families the right to settle in UK. After
the spearheaded campaign for the Ghurka rights, British Home Secretary Jacqui
Smith announced that all war veterans with four years of service in the army
would be allowed to move to United Kingdom. Ms. Lumley hailed the decision of
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown opening the door of the foreign land to retired
soldiers. She called the Prime Minister as a, “brave man who has made a brave
decision on behalf of the bravest of the brave.”
Even the fight for the right to settle in and the equal pension of Ghurkas
has won, the battle for post-discrimination society is still ongoing. Ultra-
conservative people wouldn’t want their identity to be tainted by other races.
What’s the key in having a society where different races are harmoniously living
with each other is acceptance of differences of cultures, social norms and
physical appearance.
References:
Gurkhas win right to settle in UK, May 2009 Randal ,Jeff, Betraying the loyal Gurkhas is yet another symptom of moral decay, April 2009 Cohen, Nick, A happy ending for the Gurkhas? Think again, March 2010 Victory for Ghurkas in Settlement Battle, May 2009
Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com
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