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Nepal veterans seek Agniveer entry into Indian Army
NDTV··14 Aug
Former Gorkha soldiers and Nepali youths rallied in Pokhara on August 12 to ask Kathmandu to reopen Indian Army recruitment under Agnipath. The Indian Ex-Servicemen Gorkha Brigade Nepal handed a two-point memorandum to the Kaski district office. Protesters said four years as an Agniveer paid far better than minimum-wage Gulf work in extreme summer heat.
Prism
What It Means For You
- If you follow India-Nepal military ties, Pokhara veterans have asked Kathmandu to restart Agniveer enlistment days before the Indian Army chief's August 16 visit.
- Nepali job seekers can note the memorandum's claim of 4.5 to 5 million rupees over four years versus Gulf minimum wage.
- Families of former Gorkhas can see a second demand: renewal of ex-servicemen groups whose names use the word soldier.
What's Happening
- On August 12 the Indian Ex-Servicemen Gorkha Brigade Nepal marched from Pokhara Stadium to the District Administration Office.
- The memorandum asked for immediate Agnipath recruitment and for recognition of ex-servicemen organisations using the word soldier.
- Protesters said Nepali youths should be allowed to join as Agniveers rather than seek Gulf labour.
Why Kathmandu Stopped the Gorkha Intake
- The 1947 tripartite agreement among India, Nepal and Britain set terms for Gorkha service, including longer careers and pensions that Agnipath does not match for most recruits.
- Former Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan has said Nepal must decide whether its citizens join under the same scheme as Indian nationals.
- A 17 April 2024 Home Ministry circular in Nepal restricted the term soldier to the Nepal Army, which veterans say blocks renewal of their associations.
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