New UK documentary explores racist attacks on British Indians
text_fields
London: A new documentary aired on Channel 4 delves into the harrowing experiences of British Indians who faced racist attacks during the 1970s and 80s, shedding light on their resilience in the face of violence and intimidation.
Titled 'Defiance: Fighting the Far Right', the three-part series uncovers the untold stories of the South Asian community's battle against brutal racist assaults and murders between 1976 and 1981.
Through a combination of archival footage and first-hand testimonies, the film brings to light the challenges confronted by British Indians amidst a surge of anti-immigrant sentiments and targeted violence orchestrated by extremist groups like the National Front.
Rajesh Thind, director of one of the episodes, recounts his father's precautionary measures during that era, stating, "Back then, my Ludhiana-born father would drive around with hockey sticks in the boot of his car in case we ever ran into far-right thugs as we went about our daily business."
Reflecting on the motivation behind the documentary, Thind emphasizes the desire to showcase the courage and resilience of British Asians who stood up against racism. He remarks, "Ever since I was a child witnessing those events of the late 1970s and early 1980s, I have wanted to tell these stories of how we British Asians fought back against the National Front and other racist and fascist organisations."
The series, produced by BAFTA-winning Rogan Productions, Left Handed Films, and GroupM Motion Entertainment, examines pivotal moments in British South Asian history, including the Southall protests, the Battle for Brick Lane, and the Bradford 12 –- events often overlooked by mainstream media and authorities.
Shaminder Nahal, Channel 4 Head of Specialist Factual, underscores the importance of amplifying the voices of ordinary British Asians who resisted racial violence, particularly in the current political climate.
"At a moment when we have a British Asian Prime Minister [Rishi Sunak] and an Asian First Minister in Scotland [Humza Yousaf], it is incredibly powerful to be able to tell the stories of everyday British Asians fighting to make their way in this country and to be heard," she said.
