The Hindu : The 'Indian hot list' in Britain

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Aug 04, 2002

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International

The 'Indian hot list' in Britain

By Hasan Suroor

LONDON AUG. 3. An Indian who spent 15 years in jail for a murder figures in a list of ten most admired Asians in Britain rubbing shoulders with the likes of Salman Rushdie, Aishwarya Rai, Nasser Hussain and Keith Vaz.

Satpal Ram, who was released recently following a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights, has consistently maintained that he acted in self-defence against a racially-motivated attack and is seen by Asians as a symbol of resistance against racism.

The ruling has embarrassed the British Government, which continued to detain him despite the recommendations of the Parole Board two years ago that he should be set free. The Court held that the then Home Secretary, Jack Straw, had no right to overrule the parole board.

The "Indian hot list'' is based on the findings of a poll conducted for Channel 4 which is currently showing a series of programmes on India as part of an "Indian Summer'' show.

Mr. Ram is one slot above the more high-profile Indian restaurateur, Namita Punjabi, who finds herself at the bottom of the list.

Others on the list include actor and writer Meera Syal, millionaire-businessman, Reuben Singh, the Labour Peer and media magnate, Lord Alli, and 12-year-old Kavita Brahmbatt who has been picked up by the BBC as a "young achiever''.

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