South Asian Anti-Racism Pioneers
Shaping Birmingham’s Fight for Equality and Justice
Jagmohan Joshi , Avtar Singh Jouhl, Aijaz Kaleem, Mukhtar Dar, Anwar Ditta and Ranjit Sondhi stand as towering figures in the history of South Asian anti-racism activism in Birmingham, UK. Their tireless efforts over decades have profoundly shaped the city’s multicultural landscape, challenging discrimination and fostering solidarity within South Asian communities and beyond.
Jagmohan Joshi was a powerful, visionary leader of the Indian Workers’ Association (GB) whose activism bridged anti-racism and working-class solidarity in post-war Britain. Arriving from Punjab and later becoming General Secretary of IWA (GB) in the 1960s, he emphasized that the fight against racism at home was intrinsically linked to colonial exploitation abroad. He championed a unified front of all colonized peoples, regardless of nationality, race, or creed—believing that true progress required collective strength.
Joshi spearheaded alliances with Black and Caribbean groups, helping to form influential coalitions such as the Black People's Alliance and the Campaign Against Racial Discrimination. In workplaces and pubs across the Midlands, he led protests against segregation and defended workers' rights, especially for Indian labourers often excluded from unions and fair wages.
A committed communist and revolutionary poet writing in Urdu, Joshi infused his political activism with cultural expression, using poetry and performances as rallying cries for justice. His political alignment during the Naxalbari uprising reflected his belief in direct struggle against imperialism—a stance that shaped split movements and inspired solidarity networks.
Even in his uncompromising stance, Joshi remained hopeful, urging patience, dedication, and collective resolve toward a future free from oppression. His legacy lives on in the ongoing work for racial equality, worker justice, and international solidarity.
To read more about Jagmohan Joshi, click here.
Avtar Singh Jouhl was a pioneering anti-racism campaigner and trade unionist who played a vital role in challenging racial discrimination in the UK. Born in Punjab, India, he moved to Smethwick in 1958 and soon began organising with the Indian Workers’ Association (IWA), as their General Secretary. He fought against segregation in workplaces and public spaces, leading campaigns that helped pave the way for the Race Relations Act of 1965.
Jouhl was instrumental in bringing Malcolm X to Smethwick in 1965 to highlight racial injustice. For over 30 years, he worked as a trade union organiser and later became a lecturer in Trade Union Studies. He also campaigned for the rights of immigrant workers and supported major social justice movements, including the miners’ strike.
In 2000, he was awarded an OBE for his services to community relations and trade unionism. Avtar Singh Jouhl is remembered as a humble and powerful figure whose work inspired generations to stand against racism and inequality.
To read more about Avtar Singh Jouhl, click here.
Aijaz Kaleem also known as Khawaja Ijazullah is a seasoned activist and community organiser known for his deep commitment to anti-racist and socialist principles in Birmingham. Arriving in the city during a period of civil unrest in the mid-1980s, he quickly became a key figure within the Birmingham Asian Youth Movement (AYM). Living in Lozells, he witnessed firsthand the 1985 Handsworth riots and worked tirelessly to build solidarity between South Asian, Black, and Caribbean communities.
Ijazullah’s home became an intellectual and political hub; alongside his partner Phyll, he turned their Edgbaston flat into a meeting place filled with revolutionary literature and passionate discussions. He was instrumental in forging alliances with groups like the Birmingham Black Sisters, the Indian Workers’ Association, and various creative collectives—poets, writers, and musicians—ensuring that resistance to racism was both political and cultural.
A natural connector and mentor, Ijazullah brought together diverse activists and nurtured an ideology that blended Marxist ideas with grassroots solidarity. His influence extended far beyond the actions of the AYM, shaping a generation of community-led resistance centered on unity, intellectual debate, and cultural expression. His legacy remains rooted in the belief that lasting change comes from shared struggle, collective learning, and the merging of art with activism.
To read more about Aijaz Kaleem, click here.
Mukhtar Dar is a Pakistani-born photographer, artist, filmmaker, and activist whose work has powerfully documented and supported anti-racist movements in the UK. He was a founding member of the Sheffield Asian Youth Movement in the 1980s and later joined the Birmingham Asian Youth Movement—both grassroots organisations that fought against racism and injustice faced by South Asian communities in Britain.
Beyond activism, Mukhtar has made significant contributions to the arts. He served as Director of Arts at The Drum, Birmingham’s intercultural arts centre, and around 2008 became Director of Arts at Sampad Arts, an organisation promoting South Asian arts and culture. His creative work often reflects his political commitments, blending photography, film, and visual storytelling to highlight community struggles and resistance.
In 2022, the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery recognised his impact through a pop-up exhibition featuring his photographs and films, describing him as “the unofficial artist of the largest grassroots movement in the history of the UK’s South Asian communities.” He is also a founding member of Kings Heath United Against Racism and currently serves as Artistic Director at Kalaboration Arts, continuing his lifelong mission to challenge racism and empower marginalised voices through art and activism.
Anwar Ditta was a powerful anti-racist campaigner whose fight for justice became a symbol of resistance against the UK’s discriminatory immigration system. Born in Birmingham, she faced a long battle in the late 1970s to reunite with her three children, who were in Pakistan. The Home Office rejected her application, questioning her relationship to the children despite clear evidence.
Refusing to accept this injustice, Anwar launched a national campaign, speaking at hundreds of events and gaining widespread support from communities, activists, and organisations. Her determination and public pressure eventually led to the Home Office reversing its decision in 1981, allowing her children to join her in the UK.
Her victory not only reunited her family but also challenged systemic racism in immigration policy. Anwar Ditta’s legacy lives on as a symbol of resilience, community strength, and the power of standing up for one’s rights.
To read more about Anwar Ditta, click here.
Ranjit Sondhi is a distinguished community leader and advocate for social justice who has dedicated his life to public service in the UK. After graduating in Theoretical Physics from the University of Birmingham in 1972, he chose to focus on grassroots work, founding the Asian Resource Centre in Handsworth in 1976. From 1985 to 2005, he served as a Senior Lecturer in Community and Youth Studies at the University of Birmingham, Westhill.
Over the years, Ranjit has held numerous influential roles on national and regional bodies, including Vice Chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality, Governor of the BBC, and Commissioner for the Civil Service and Judicial Appointments. He has also chaired key health and refugee forums and contributed to arts and heritage through organisations like sampad.
Currently, he continues his service as a trustee and board member across various charities and health bodies, including Guide Dogs for the Blind, Nishkam Health Project, and the Canal and River Trust. Currently, he is the Chairman of the Birmingham Race Impact Group, where he plays a leading role in addressing racial inequalities and shaping inclusive policy in the city.
Together, these pioneers have profoundly impacted Birmingham’s South Asian communities by challenging discrimination, promoting social justice, and building inclusive spaces. Their legacy is reflected in the city’s ongoing efforts to combat racism and inequality, serving as a foundation for new generations of activists who continue the fight for equality.
Their stories remind us that the struggle against racism is not only about resistance but also about creating a vision of society rooted in solidarity, dignity, and respect for diversity. In celebrating these leaders, Birmingham acknowledges the vital role South Asian activists have played in shaping a more just and inclusive city.
