Sikh organisations across the UK have issued a public statement urging people not to associate the Sikh faith with the ongoing murder trial linked to the death of 18-year-old University of Southampton student Henry Nowak.The statement, released by the British Sikh Federation , expressed condolences to Nowak’s family and described the incident as inconsistent with Sikh teachings and values.“On behalf of Sikh organisations and communities across the country, we express our deepest condolences for the tragic loss of life,” the statement read.“Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Nowak family and loved ones during this profoundly difficult time.”The organisations said the case should not be used to make wider assumptions about Sikh beliefs or religious practices.
“This incident as reported does not align with the Sikh faith, the Sikh community, or the principles it stands for,” the statement added.“Sikh teachings are founded on compassion, justice, humility, responsibility, and service to humanity.”The statement also described the Sikh community as peaceful, well-integrated and an important part of British society.
Community leaders urged the public to allow the legal proceedings to continue without prejudice and called for restraint in public discussion surrounding the case.“We respectfully urge everyone to allow the judicial process to proceed fairly and without prejudice, and to refrain from drawing broad assumptions or judgments about the Sikh faith or Sikh religious practices based on an individual case,” the statement said.The comments come during the trial of Vickrum Digwa, 23, at Southampton Crown Court.Digwa denies murder and denies carrying a blade in public following the fatal stabbing of Henry Nowak in Belmont Road, Southampton, on 3 December 2025.The court has heard Nowak, from Chafford Hundred in Essex, suffered five wounds from a 21cm kirpan, a ceremonial Sikh blade, including a fatal chest injury.Digwa claims he acted in self-defence after an altercation in which he alleges Nowak racially abused him, punched him, pulled off his turban and grabbed his hair during a confrontation after a night out.The defendant told the court he feared Nowak would use the kirpan against him.His mother, Kiran Kaur, is also on trial accused of assisting an offender by allegedly removing the weapon from the scene. She denies the charge.The trial is ongoing.
