If you told an Asian migrant in 1980 that a British-born Indian would one day occupy the UK’s top job, they would think you were stark raving bonkers. Because at the time Rishi Sunak was born, Asian immigrants were fighting for their right to exist elsewhere in the country.
Their battle against the far right is the focus of Channel 4’s new three-part documentary Defiance, produced by actor, musician and activist Riz Ahmed. Spanning five years from 1976 to 1981, and including key moments such as the Southall riots and the Battle for Brick Lane to the trial of the Bradford 12, the hour-long episodes are shocking and uncomfortable but necessary viewing.
