London – A peculiar scene was observed during an interaction program held on Sunday by various organizations representing former Gurkhas protesting in the UK. The event, organized in Aldershot under the name of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) UK, saw more guests in attendance than the organizers themselves.

Previously, the FNJ UK Preparation Committee had objected to the interaction program titled “Ex-Gurkha Movement, Achievements, and Future Strategy,” scheduled for September 22. The program was being organized by a disputed group formed through a controversial election. The committee claimed that the purpose of the program was to legitimize the controversial committee, and thus raised concerns about it. Although there was a strong presence of Gurkha activists at the event, only about half a dozen journalists attended.

Influential journalists like Naresh Khapangi Magar, Chiran Sharma, Bipin Niraula, senior journalist Bhagirath Yogi, Dr. Jagan Karki, Shyam Luitel, Devi Gautam, and Dinesh Pariyar were absent from the event. A total of 67 journalists are active in the FNJ UK, including 40 members and 27 applicants seeking membership.

In a press release, the FNJ UK Preparation Committee warned that such interaction programs organized by the disputed group could weaken the ongoing Gurkha movement and lead to further controversy. The statement said, “We request that participation in such public-interest interactions be avoided until the ongoing dispute within the FNJ UK branch is resolved. It is also informed that, unless an environment where all active journalists in the UK can participate is created, boycotting such forced events will remain the only option.”

During the interaction program on “Ex-Gurkha Movement, Achievements, and Future Strategy,” leaders of the Gurkha movement such as Gyanraj Rai, Juddha Bahadur Gurung, Kesh Bahadur Gurung, and Dharma Tamang shared their views. They emphasized the need for government-level talks to address the demands of the ex-Gurkhas.