A small number of Indians continue to seek political asylum in Britain despite a blanket refusal by the British government to grant it. In September the Home Office, or interior department, considered asylum applications by 190 Indians. All were refused. Through this year an estimated 1,500 Indians, mostly from Punjab would have sought asylum in Britain.
All applicants face rejection.
The rejections are intended to discourage more people from applying for asylum, although the number of Indian applicants is relatively small. In September, the latest month for which figures are available, the total of applicants from all countries was 6,435. Most asylum applications are now from Iraqis, Somalis, Sri Lankans and Afghans, and a fair number come from Pakistan. Overall only 5 percent of applicants are granted asylum. The success rate among South Asian applicants is much lower.