Chandigarh, June 4, 2026: Following the murder of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak in the UK, some hardline right-wing organizations demanded a ban on the Kirpan, a religious article of faith for Sikhs. Sikh MPs strongly opposed this in the House of Commons, the lower house of the British Parliament. The MPs clarified that a Kirpan was not used in the murder; instead, a lethal knife known as a 'pesh-kabz' was used.
The debate ensued after 23-year-old Vikram Singh Digwa was sentenced to life imprisonment by the court for the murder of Henry Nowak. Following the incident, some political groups demanded a ban on the Kirpan worn by Sikhs, a demand that was opposed by several MPs.
During the debate, Labour Party MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi criticized parties like Reform UK and Restore Britain, stating that they are attempting to hold the entire Sikh community guilty based on the crime of one individual. He said that associating the actions of a criminal with an entire community is unfair and dangerous.
Dhesi reminded the House that millions of Sikh soldiers fought bravely alongside the British Army in both World Wars, and even then, they wore their turbans and Kirpans. He appealed to British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to provide assurance regarding the protection of the religious freedom of Sikhs.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, describing the Kirpan as one of the five sacred Kakkars of Sikhism, stated that legal protection regarding it already exists in the Offensive Weapons Act of 2019. She clarified that the government is not in favor of punishing the entire Sikh community for the crime of one individual.
Mahmood stated that Britain does not believe in the concept of collective punishment, and the responsibility for this heinous crime lies solely with the perpetrator, not their religion or community. She warned that such incidents should not be used to create division between communities.
This debate has drawn the attention of the Sikh community in the UK and across the world. Religious and community leaders have condemned the murder while also strongly criticizing attempts to target Sikhs.