UK confirms stay of 102 pre-1973 Indians

LONDON: Home secretary Sajid Javid on Tuesday said his department had given documents confirming the status of 102 Indians who came to the United Kingdom before 1973 as part of the “Windrush” generation that mostly comprised workers of Caribbean countries.

The Windrush controversy – named after the ship MV Empire Windrush which brought workers from Caribbean countries after World War 2 – embarrassed the Theresa May government during the summit of the Commonwealth heads of government in London in April.

Citizens of Commonwealth countries –including Indians– who came to the UK between 1948 and 1973 are considered the “Windrush generation”. They since stayed on but did not obtain necessary documents over the years to regularise their stay, resulting in some being deported.

In a letter to Yvette Cooper, chair of the Home affairs committee of Parliament, Javid detailed the steps taken since it became clear that many from the Windrush generation who had the right to stay in the country, faced detention, deportation and worse from the Home Office.

After a task force was set up to deal with members of the generation, Javid said 102 Indians are among over 2,200 people who were given documents between April and July confirming their status to remain in the UK.

Javid said he would apologise to 18 individuals who came from Caribbean countries.