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Bradford 12: The Asian youth who took on the racists, part 1

Tariq Mehmood endured violent racism as an immigrant teen in 1970s Britain. He found shelter and wisdom in a library, sparking an entire movement to resist racist attacks.

As a Pakistani immigrant teenager in 1970s Britain, Tariq Mehmood endured homelessness and years of violent racism. He found shelter and wisdom in a library, and the strength to stand up to the racists. He co-founded the Asian Youth Movement, and their slogan 鈥渟elf-defence is no offence,鈥 would galvanise an entire generation. But it鈥檚 a rationale that would see Tariq in court 鈥 facing life in prison 鈥 in the groundbreaking case of the Bradford 12.

Today Tariq is a writer. His novel Hand on the Sun, written in pre-trial detention, has just been re-released.

Presenter: Mobeen Azhar
Producer: Maryam Maruf and Lina Chang

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com

(Photo: Tariq Mehmood [far left] in 1981 along with other members of the Bradford 12. Credit: Courtesy of Ruth Bundey)

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41 minutes

Broadcasts

  • Wed 31 May 2023 11:06GMT
  • Wed 31 May 2023 17:06GMT
  • Wed 31 May 2023 21:06GMT
  • Thu 1 Jun 2023 02:06GMT

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