UK Sikh MPs Defend Right to Wear 'Kirpan'

June

2026

The murder of Henry Nowak in the UK, the conviction and sentencing of Vickrum Singh Digwa on 2 Jun to a minimum term of 21 years, has raised three issues: two-tier policing, racial attack on Sikhs, and permission to Sikhs to publicly carry their article of faith—the kirpan (traditional sword). On 3 Jun, large crowds gathered in Southampton pelted police with stones and bottles as anti-immigration activists condemned two-tier policing. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood have condemned the violent protests. Hampshire Police's Deputy Chief Constable Robert France said, 'I am deeply sorry that in the moments Nowak lost consciousness, he had been handcuffed and arrested.' The UK's Sikh community is distancing itself from Nowak’s murder, with prominent Sikh organizations and community leaders condemning Digwa’s actions and insisting that the killing has nothing to do with their religion. Sikh representatives acknowledge a rise in anti-Sikh hostility following the case—Sikhs’ reluctance to step out, allow elders out alone, empty Gurdwaras—but their focus has remained on condemning Digwa’s actions. During a Parliamentary debate, the UK’s Sikh lawmakers defended the right to wear the kirpan publicly. Labour Member of Parliament (MP) Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi condemned political parties for 'scapegoating and throwing under the bus an entire community based on the actions of one violent murderer.’ He said, ‘The likes of Reform, Restore, and the far-right have decided to politicize people’s pain, attacking the Sikh community for wearing the kirpan and wanting it banned, even though the kirpan was not used in this violent attack.' 11 Sikh UK MPs have issued a statement saying, ‘This was not about Sikhism. It was about a man carrying an offensive weapon and committing a brutal murder.’ The US State Department and US Vice-President JD Vance have both called out ‘ideological conditioning’ (of Sikhs) and ‘two-tier’ policing while taking an anti-immigration stance. Sri Akal Takht Sahib (Eternal Throne) has backed the UK court’s judgment and issued a statement condemning the murder. Meanwhile, at Takht Sri Hazur Sahib (Throne), Nanded, Maharashtra, police have seized 4,796 sharp-edged weapons, including swords and daggers. The apex Sikh management body, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Harjinder Singh Dhami has objected to the registration of police cases against Sikh devotees, weapon traders, and individuals (earlier coverage).