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In 10 years, over 10 times rise in number of Indians seeking asylum as they feel threatened

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In 10 years, over 10 times rise in number of Indians seeking asylum as they feel threatened

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In 10 years from 2008-2018, there was a more than 10 times rise in number of Indian people seeking asylum in other countries as they felt their life and liberty would be in danger if they continue to reside here.

In 2009, 4,722 Indians applied for political asylum in other countries. By 2018, this number rose to 51,769, reveals an IndiaToday.(IT) in analysis of data collected by the office of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

In these 10 years, the United States and Canada have remained the most favoured countries for Indians seeking political asylum. In 2009, as many as 1,321 Indians applied for political asylum in the US while 1,039 did it in Canada, the IT report said. But in 2018, a total of 28,489 Indians applied for political asylum in the US in 2018 while 5,522 did it in Canada.

The Narendra Modi government in 2018 told Parliament it believes that those who apply for asylum to a foreign government “denigrate the system in India to obtain personal gains despite the fact that India, being a democratic country, provides avenues for everyone to redress their grievances lawfully”, reported IT.

United Nations data on asylum seekers for 2018 show that after the US and Canada, Indians prefer to seek political asylum in South Africa (4,329), followed by Australia (3,584), the UK (1,667), South Korea (1,657) and Germany (1,313).

Seeking political asylum in these countries isn’t surprising as they are all developed economies and have an image of being peaceful and prosperous.

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But what may come as surprising to some is that Indians have also sought political asylum in countries like Yemen, Sudan, Burundi, Bosnia among others – countrieswhich have routinely hogged headlines for war and armed unrest in recent times, said the IT report.

Overall, in 2018 there were 57 countries where Indians applied for political asylum.

UNHCR reports show that despite being the world’s largest democracy, India is not a popular destination among political asylum seekers.

For example, in 2018 there were 35.03 lakh political asylum seekers in the world but only 0.34 per cent of them (11,957) sought political asylum in India.

The US, Germany and Turkey were the most favoured destinations for political asylum seekers with 7.18 lakh, 3.69 lakh and 3.11 lakh people applying to these countries respectively.

But this does not mean that no one is applying to India. When it comes to South Asia, India has the largest number of political asylum applications. In 2018, of the 11,957 political asylum seekers in India, 65 per cent (7,864) were from Afghanistan. This was followed by those from Myanmar (2,064) and Yemen (1,134).

Overall, people from 40 countries sought political asylum in India fearing threat to their lives in their native countries.

Analysing data for political asylum requests related to India, IT said that the number of Indians seeking political asylum abroad is 334 per cent more than the number of people from other countries seeking political asylum in India in 2018.

These political asylum requests aside, by the end of 2018 India was sheltering close to 1.95 lakh refugees, but Pakistan and Bangladesh had more.

Pakistan had the largest population of refugees (14.04 lakh, mostly from Afghanistan), followed by Bangladesh (9.06 lakh, mostly Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar).

India is not a signatory to the 1951 United Nations Conventions on the status of refugees, neither has it signed the 1967 UN protocol on the same. These two detail the rights and protection that refugees can enjoy in host countries.

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Besides this, India does not have a clearly defined domestic policy on refugees nor is there any law to guide authorities on how refugees must be treated in India. Their treatment so far has been subjective and varied from case to case.

The legal hurdle aside, global data on refugees and asylum seekers show that a majority of people who are forced to leave their native country prefer to take refuge in some neighbouring country.

UNHCR report titled “Global trends: Forced displacement in 2018” states that there were 25.9 million refugees in 2018. The report says nearly four out of five (i.e. 80 per cent) refugees live in countries neighbouring their country of origin.

When it comes to India’s immediate neighbourhood, Afghanistan, China (Tibet), Myanmar, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have been sources of refugees because of internal disturbances and civil war there.

India received thousands of refugees from Pakistan (at the time of Partition in 1947), Tibet (in the late 1950s and early 1960s when the Dalia Lama escaped Tibet and took shelter in India), Bangladesh (in 1970s during the Bangladesh Liberation War) and Sri Lanka (in late 1980s during the civil war).

But in recent times barring the protracted war in Afghanistan and the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar, there hasn’t been any major trigger that forced large-scale displacement of people.

Also Read: FATF gives Pakistan time till October to act against terror, India says it expects compliance

In the past few years India has seen an aggressive politicisation on the issue of providing shelter to refugees, especially Rohingya Muslims.

The BJP has been vocal in demanding repatriation of Rohingya. It has often claimed that they pose threat to national security. Other political parties, including the Congress, have shied away from being vocal on the issue and taking a clear stand.

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Filmmaker Sanoj Mishra arrested for raping woman for 4 years on pretext of marrying her

The case revolves around allegations made by a 28-year-old woman from a small town, who accused Mishra of repeatedly raping her over four years under the false promise of marriage.

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Sanoj Mishra, a filmmaker known for offering a role to viral sensation Monalisa during the Kumbh Mela, was arrested by the Delhi Police on Monday for allegedly raping an aspiring female actor for over four years on the pretext of marrying her.

The 45-year-old director, who lives with his family in Mumbai, was apprehended in Ghaziabad following extensive intelligence work and technical surveillance.

The arrest came after the Delhi High Court rejected Mishra’s bail application, paving the way for his custody by the Nabi Karim Police Station. The case revolves around allegations made by a 28-year-old woman from a small town, who accused Mishra of repeatedly raping her over four years under the false promise of marriage.

According to the complainant, she had been in a live-in relationship with Mishra in Mumbai while pursuing her dream of becoming a film actor. She further alleged that Mishra coerced her into undergoing abortions on three separate occasions. In her complaint, lodged on March 6, 2024, she also claimed that Mishra betrayed her trust by refusing to fulfill his marriage commitment.

The Delhi Police confirmed that an FIR was registered against Mishra under multiple sections, including rape, assault, causing miscarriage without consent, and criminal intimidation. The woman’s allegations were substantiated during her statement recorded under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). Authorities also collected medical evidence related to the alleged abortions from Muzaffarnagar, strengthening the case.

The incident that prompted the complaint occurred on February 18, 2025, when Mishra allegedly took the victim to Hotel Shiva in Nabi Karim. According to the police, he engaged in physical relations with her during this encounter before abandoning her, which led her to report the matter to the authorities.

Mishra’s arrest marks a significant development in the case, following the Delhi High Court’s decision to deny him bail after a detailed review of the evidence. The filmmaker, who gained attention for his work in the film industry, now faces serious legal consequences as the investigation continues.

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Rahul Gandhi writes to PM Modi seeking cancellation of tenders for offshore mining in Kerala, Gujarat, Andaman and Nicobar Islands

“I strongly condemn the central government’s move to permit offshore mining along the coasts of Kerala, Gujarat, and Andaman & Nicobar without proper consultation or study,” he wrote.

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Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, has penned a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding the immediate cancellation of tenders that allow offshore mining along the coasts of Kerala, Gujarat, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In his communication, Gandhi expressed deep concerns over the potential threats to marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of coastal communities.

In the letter, Gandhi criticized the central government’s decision to open up offshore mining to private entities without conducting thorough environmental impact assessments. “I strongly condemn the central government’s move to permit offshore mining along the coasts of Kerala, Gujarat, and Andaman & Nicobar without proper consultation or study,” he wrote.

Gandhi highlighted the widespread protests by coastal communities against the tender process, which they argued disregards the ecological and socio-economic ramifications. He pointed out that millions of fisherfolk are apprehensive about how offshore mining could disrupt their traditional way of life and threaten their income.

According to Gandhi, the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023, has faced significant opposition due to its implications. He warned that such activities could lead to severe environmental damage, including harm to marine life, destruction of coral reefs, and reduction in fish stocks—critical issues for the sustainability of fishing communities.

The recent tender invitations by the Ministry of Mines for licenses to explore 13 offshore blocks have sparked further outrage. Among these, three blocks are located off Kollam’s coast, a key area for fish breeding, and another three are near the Great Nicobar Islands, known for their rich marine biodiversity. Gandhi argued that these locations are particularly vulnerable, and the lack of stakeholder consultation or long-term impact studies is alarming.

Citing ongoing research by the Marine Monitoring Lab (MML) at the University of Kerala’s Department of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, Gandhi noted that offshore mining could have devastating effects on fish breeding, especially in Kollam. He emphasized that over 1.1 million people in Kerala depend on fishing, making any threat to this sector a significant concern.

“Great Nicobar is a global biodiversity hotspot, home to numerous endemic species,” Gandhi stated, adding that any mining activity could cause irreversible damage. He also linked the erosion of coastal ecosystems to increased vulnerability to natural disasters like cyclones, questioning the government’s decision to proceed without scientific backing.

In his appeal to the Prime Minister, Gandhi urged the cancellation of the current tenders and called for comprehensive scientific studies to evaluate both the environmental and socio-economic impacts of offshore mining. “Most crucially, all stakeholders, particularly our fisherfolk, must be involved in any major decisions,” he stressed, underscoring their deep connection to the ocean’s health.

“Let’s work together towards a sustainable future for all,” Gandhi stated in his letter, urging collective action to protect both the environment and the communities that rely on it.

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Noida Lamborghini crash: Victim claims car was speeding at 300 kmph

Their accounts of the accident have caught media attention, particularly their claim about the excessive speed at which the car was traveling.

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A Lamborghini crash in Noida Sector 94 has left two labourers injured, prompting serious concerns regarding speeding and road safety. The individuals involved in the incident, identified as Dijen Ravidas and Rambhu Kumar from Chhattisgarh, were reportedly struck by a luxury vehicle when it allegedly sped by at approximately 300 km/h.

According to reports, the two labourers were working in the area when they were hit by the Lamborghini, causing them to fall into a nearby drain. Initially taken to a local hospital, both men are said to be out of danger, although they have sustained leg fractures. Their accounts of the accident have caught media attention, particularly their claim about the excessive speed at which the car was traveling.

Citing eyewitnesses, news reports state that Ravidas recounted how the Lamborghini came toward them at a high speed of 300 kmph, leading to their unfortunate collision. However, the police have not yet verified the speed of the vehicle at the time of the accident, leaving some questions unanswered.

The driver of the Lamborghini, identified as Deepak, is a resident of Ajmer and has since been taken into custody. Authorities also confirmed that the car was registered in Puducherry. During questioning, Deepak reportedly stated that the crash occurred due to a fault in the vehicle, although further investigation is underway, and police are working to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

An alarming video that surfaced online captured a moment following the accident, where a bystander asked Deepak if he was aware of the injuries. Deepak’s response—an inquiry as to whether anyone had died—has raised eyebrows among those witnessing the aftermath.

Local witnesses described a scene of confusion as people gathered around the damaged vehicle, with one stating that the driver seemed unable to control the car, which ultimately collided with a roadside divider after hitting the workers.

The incident highlights ongoing concerns about speeding and reckless driving in urban areas, prompting discussions about the need for stricter safety regulations. The investigation continues as authorities seek to uncover more details about the crash.

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