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

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Tariq Mehmood with other acquitted members of the Bradford 12 outside Leeds Crown Court

31/05/2023 GMT

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

BBC World Service - Outlook, Bradford 12: The Asian youth who took on the racists, part 1

Immigrant teen Tariq Mehmood led a movement to resist violent racism in 1970s Britain

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 “self-defence is no offence,” would galvanise an entire generation. But it’s a rationale that would see Tariq in court – facing life in prison – 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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