The Gorkha regiments are among the most decorated in the Indian army and have served with unquestionable distinction. There is not a single battle or insurgency theatre in Independent India where Gorkha has not spelt blood—his own, as well as of his adversary. And the incredible fact is that a substantial number of them are citizens of another country. Nepal is the traditional homeland of the Gorkhas although they are also present in considerable numbers in India’s Northeast and regions close to Himalayas.

Not too far back in the past, every year there would be a rush of fresh –faced Gorkha lads in Nepal, keen on a carrier in the Indian and British armies, and the Singapore police. But for last three years, there have been no recruitment drives for the Indian army, following a directive to that effective from Kathmandu.

Suman Sereg Maden, who runs a coaching centre for aspiring soldiers in Dharang in centre in Dharan in east Nepal’s Sunsari says “The Nepal government is opposed to sending more Gorkha soldiers to join the Indian Army. Because of that, the recruitment has completely stopped. There is resentment again the ‘Agnipath’ system of recruitment.”

Kathmandu has decided that no Gurkha would be sent to serve in the Indian Army as it believes that the ‘Agnipath’ scheme ‘violates’ a 1947 tripartite agreement signed by India, Nepal and the UK. The ‘Agnipath’ schemes provide employment only for four years. On completion of four years, only one-fourth of the soldiers will be re-employed for 15 years more years based on merit, intent and organizational requirement. The remaining three-forth, would be compensated and retired off.

It was in1915 — impressed by Gorkha solidarity qualities in two Anglo—Gorkha wars—that the East India Company raised the first Gorkha battalion, also called ‘Nasiri’ battalion. The Gorkha again demonstrated their prowess in the World War II. And when it was time for the British to leave India in 1947, a tripartite pact was signed to deal with issues of ten Gorkha Regiment – each with two or three battalions – still serving in the Indian and British armies.

According to the agreement, the British retained the services of regiments 2, 6, 7 and 10 Gorkha Rifles. The fact that 2 and 6 regiments were from west Nepal and 7 and 10 and were from east Nepal underlined the strategic thinking that characterized British policies. Moreover, the fact that those units were already serving in the British army in locations like Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaya and Brunel forced the British to retain their services. Guided by the policy that the age old relationship with Nepal should not be broken, the services of other six regiments--- 1,3,4,5,8 and 9- were retained by the Indian Army.

Lieutenant General Shokin Chauhan (retired), a veteran of the Gorkha Regiment, said the Gorkhas were never mercenaries. “They were part of an empire as Nepal was controlled by the British, and they continued to serve the empire in different parts of the World”. Chauhan has a life-long bond with Gorkhas. “I was born among the Gorkhas since my father too, was an officer in the Gorkha regiment. I grew up with them and I have worked with them all through my life”. (IPA Service)