A group of 11 Sikh Members of Parliament has issued a strong statement clarifying that the brutal murder of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak in Southampton was not an act motivated by their faith. The MPs emphasized that the case revolved around an individual carrying an offensive weapon and committing a violent crime, not Sikhism.
Vickrum Digwa, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for stabbing Nowak to death in December 2025, had falsely claimed self-defense and alleged racial abuse. He asserted that the blade he used was for religious reasons tied to his Sikh tradition.
However, the Sikh MPs refuted this claim, stating unequivocally: "This case was not about Sikhism, and the weapon used was not a kirpan." They noted that the court found it to be an offensive weapon with no religious protection or justification.
The controversy has reignited debates over UK knife laws, especially after high-profile figures like Elon Musk criticized existing regulations. The killing also sparked violent disorder during protests in Southampton.
The Sikh MPs expressed their condolences to Nowak's family, calling the murder a "horrific and senseless crime." They reaffirmed that the perpetrator was rightly convicted and sentenced.