ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
UK MPs reject Sikhism link in Henry Nowak murder
The Statement follows growing debate over kirpans and knife laws after the murder of Southampton student Henry Nowak.
-
Malvika Choudhary - Fri, 05, Jun 2026
- 12:57 EDT
- 37
Vickrum Digwa (left) and Kiran Kaur / hampshire.police.uk
A group of Sikh Members of Parliament in the United Kingdom have issued a statement maintaining that the murder of Henry Nowak was “not about Sikhism” and that the weapon used in the attack was “not a kirpan.”
The statement, shared by Labour MP Preet Kaur Gill on social media, follows public discussion surrounding the role of Sikh ceremonial blades following the killing of the 18-year-old University of Southampton student.
Also Read: Sikh Coalition to host webinar amid UK kirpan controversy
“As Sikh MPs, we believe it is important to be clear about the facts,” the lawmakers said in the statement. “This case was not about Sikhism, and the weapon used was not a kirpan. As the court found, it was an offensive weapon. No religious protection or justification applied, and the offender was rightly convicted and sentenced.”
Statement from Sikh MPs: Henry Nowak’s Murder Was Not About Sikhism and the Weapon Was Not a Kirpan pic.twitter.com/7WnOcO16cM
— Preet Kaur Gill MP (@PreetKGillMP) June 5, 2026
The MPs said the case had also highlighted the broader issue of knife crime in the United Kingdom.
“We also recognise the wider challenge this case highlights. Knife crime continues to devastate families and communities across our country,” the statement said. “We are committed to playing our part, working with the government and communities to tackle the knife crime epidemic and prevent more lives from being lost.”
The lawmakers added: “This was not about Sikhism. It was about a man carrying an offensive weapon and committing a brutal murder.”
The statement was signed by Jas Athwal, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for British Sikhs, along with MPs Satvir Kaur, Kirith Entwistle, Warinder Juss, Preet Kaur Gill, Harpreet Kaur Uppal, Sonia Kumar, Jeevun Sandher, Baggy Shanker, Gurinder Singh Josan and Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi.
Nowak, a first-year student at the University of Southampton, was fatally stabbed in Southampton in December 2025. Vickrum Digwa, 23, was later convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years.
The case attracted national attention and prompted debate over laws governing the carrying of kirpans, a ceremonial article of faith for baptized Sikhs. Sikh organizations and community leaders have argued that the weapon used in the attack was not a traditional kirpan and should not be associated with Sikh religious practice.
Discover more at New India Abroad.
Related
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
Video
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login