BBC attacked over 'Paki' title for show

Anushka Asthana
Sunday March 6, 2005

The BBC has been attacked by Asian musician Aki Nawaz over its decision to give a programme in which he appeared the title British, Paki and Proud. He said it acted to legitimise the use of the 'derogatory' word.

'When I signed the contract the programme was called Pakistani Nights,' said the director of Nation Records, adding that had he known about the title he would never have taken part.

'People might use the word on the street today with the excuse that it is all right because the BBC used it,' he said. 'I have been told that the film does not endorse the word. However, I find the title enough. I think its use is completely unacceptable.'

He added that those who thought Asians should 'reclaim' the word were missing the point. 'It never was our word,' he said. 'It has always been a racist term.' The programme was aired on BBC2 last night.

A spokesman for the BBC said yesterday: 'The decision to use Paki in the title of the film was not taken lightly and the programme makers are in no way endorsing its use.

'British, Paki and Proud is a thought-provoking documentary which seeks to challenge assumptions, and the title reflects the fact that some young British Pakistanis are trying to reclaim the word.'

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