The Union Home Ministry issued a communication citing a 1950 treaty between India and Nepal, and stating that Gorkhas living in India cannot be referred to Foreigners Tribunals in Assam.
About:
Nomenclature: Gorkhas (or Gurkhas) are Nepali-origin people who take their name from the 8th century Hindu warrior-saint Guru Gorakhnath and from the Nepal hill town of Gorkha.
Indian Gorkhas:
In India, the word is sometimes used to make a distinction between Indian Gorkhas, who are citizens of India, and Nepali citizens who are living in India.
Most of Indian Gorkhas are descendants of Gorkhas settled in India during British rule (The British Army had raised several Gorkha units in India).
Demography: West Bengal has the highest number of Nepali-speaking citizens, and Sikkim the highest density.
Recent development:
At a time when the National Register of Citizens (NRC) is being updated, the All Assam Gorkha Students’ Union made a representation to the Home ministry about members of the community being referred to Foreigners Tribunals.
The ministry cited the Foreigners Act (1946) and the 1950 treaty to state that Gorkhas cannot be referred to these tribunals. The Indian Gorkhas of Assam are eligible for inclusion in the Assam NRC, by virtue of being Indian citizens.
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