Sikhs warn against backlash over Nowak murder

A Sikh community leader has condemned a "backlash" against the faith in the wake of Henry Nowak's murder.

Nowak, 18, was fatally stabbed by Vickrum Digwa in Southampton in December 2025 with a blade Digwa said he was carrying because of his Sikh religion.

Harjit Singh, a well-known member of the city's Sikh community, said members of the faith had faced abuse after Digwa was jailed for life with a minimum of 21 years on 1 June.

He stressed that Digwa's actions should not be associated with Sikhism and expressed concern over any targeting of Sikhs because of the case.

"Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to the Nowak family. We were shocked and horrified by what happened," said Singh.

"We're further saddened and a little bit alarmed by the backlash on the Sikh community.

"This was an individual crime, committed by an individual, yet the Sikh community has been targeted."

The jail sentence of Digwa has been referred to the Court of Appeal by the solicitor general under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

Singh also reflected on the classification of the murder weapon, which has prompted questions around religious exemptions that allow practising Sikhs to carry ceremonial blades.

Under current legislation, a practicing Sikh may wear a small blade known as a kirpan - one of the religion's five articles of faith.

Section 139 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988, states that it shall be a defence for a person charged with having an article with blade or point in public place to prove that they had the article with them for religious reasons.

This legislation also applies to anyone wearing it as part of national dress, such as a sgian dubh blade worn as part of Scottish Highland dress.

If the item is used in an act of violence then it is deemed an offensive weapon.

Digwa was carrying two blades. The large dagger he used to kill Nowak was worn in a sheath around his neck and was linked to his tradition as a member of the Nihang order of Sikhs.

He was also carrying a smaller knife - a more traditional kirpan - under his clothing.

The Crown Prosecution Service said that Digwa chose to carry two ceremonial knives and that "the judge's finding of fact made clear that he agreed" with its assessment that it was a kirpan that Digwa chose to use.

But some leaders in the Sikh faith have rejected that description.

Singh described the dagger as "an offensive weapon" and not a kirpan.

Sikh leaders have said that understanding the role of the kirpan requires a broader understanding of the faith itself.

Shastar Vidya, often described as the Sikh science of weaponry, has deep historical roots within Sikh tradition.

Singh said: "The tradition goes back centuries when our forefathers were fighting against tyranny and our forefathers stood up against that."

He added: "It's a daily reminder for us to stand up against oppression and tyranny. A constant reminder that we are Sikhs and we should help anybody. "

Singh said the congregation he belongs to will take time to reflect on the events of recent weeks - but emphasised they would not diminish the community's commitment to the faith.

"We're proud of our identity. I'm proud of my dastar (a type of turban). I'm proud of my beard.

"If you see us on the streets, we will help you. That's what we do, That's what we are as a people, that's what Sikhi is."

More than 4,000 people in Southampton identify as Sikh, according to the Office for National Statistics's 2021 census.