Henry Nowak murder sparks UK Sikh community backlash
On 3 December 2025, 18‑year‑old student Henry Nowak was stabbed five times in Southampton and died after pleading for help while handcuffed by police. The attacker, 23‑year‑old Sikh Vickrum Digwa, falsely claimed the victim had racially abused him. Body‑camera footage showed Nowak begging, “I can’t breathe,” as officers dismissed his pleas.
A June 2026 jury convicted Digwa of murder and sentenced him to life imprisonment with a 21‑year minimum, noting the weapon was an offensive Persian‑style dagger, not the Sikh ceremonial kirpan. Digwa’s family members have since faced charges for illegal weapons possession.
Hundreds gathered outside Southampton police headquarters, where far‑right figures including Tommy Robinson, Nick Tenconi and Laurence Fox addressed the crowd. Protesters performed Nazi salutes, hurled missiles at police and damaged vehicles. Sikh leaders, such as Jas Singh of the Sikh Federation UK, condemned the murder and warned that the case was being exploited to stoke anti‑Sikh sentiment. Mark Nowak, the victim’s father, stressed the tragedy was “not about Sikhism, not about racism, it’s about murder.”
British officials, including the Prime Minister’s spokesperson, condemned attempts to politicise the case, while U.S. Vice‑President JD Vance reposted footage linking the murder to broader migration debates. The incident has fueled a national debate on race‑based politics, policing practices, and the legal status of the kirpan.