Sikh community groups speak out on “ceremonial knife” murder

A conglomerate of Sikh community groups released a joint statement today, condemning “a moment of madness” from a Sikh individual, which saw them use what was described in court as a “ceremonial knife” in an incident which led to murder.

Read more on the case (Southampton, December 2025) regarding victim Henry Nowak and the guilty attacker Vickrum Digwa here: Jury finds Vickrum Digwa guilty of murdering Henry Nowak | Daily Echo

See the statement in full below:

Today the court has found Vickrum Digwa guilty of the murder of Henry Nowak and his mother guilty of assisting an offender.

Henry’s life has tragically been curt short by a moment of madness by an individual for which there can be no excuses.

The jury heard evidence that the incident was preceded by an altercation and allegations of racial abuse, but ultimately rejected Vickrum Digwa’s claim of self-defence.

Prosecuting counsel told the jury that, in the prosecution’s case, the incident was not about Sikhism or racism, but about the unlawful killing of Henry.

Nonetheless, the wider Sikh community has unacceptably faced considerable abuse and hate during the trial as many do not understand the law, the significance of the Kirpan or the responsibility associated with wearing a Kirpan.

The actions of police officers who handcuffed the victim just before he died has not helped and given an opportunity for many to criticise the police, but it has also unnecessarily stirred up community hatred.

Now the trial is over we want to make absolutely clear the law only provides fully practicing Sikhs with a defence under the law to wear a Kirpan for religious reasons.

If a Kirpan or bladed item is used aggressively in an act of violence the defence under the law for a Kirpan does not apply and it is deemed an offensive weapon.

We understand in this case the weapon that may have been used was not the normal Kirpan worn by fully practicing Sikhs. This nuance is critically important and may not have been explained or understood by those asked to give evidence in this case.

This was an isolated incident, the Sikh community is committed to promoting greater understanding and ensuring lessons are learned. Fully practicing Sikhs who wear a Kirpan should continue to recognise the serious responsibility that accompanies it, together with the limited legal protection that exists for wearing it for genuine religious purposes.

We will be ensuring it is understood that anyone simply possessing a weapon with the intent to use it to cause unlawful violence carries a minimum sentence of up to seven years following the recent Crime and Policing Act 2026 coming into effect a few weeks ago.