A Birmingham councillor has stated that the Sikh community is being "thrown under the bus" following the "horrifying" and "senseless" murder of Henry Nowak. The 18-year-old university student was fatally stabbed in Southampton by Vickrum Digwa, who claimed he carried the blade as part of his Sikh faith. Digwa, 23, was sentenced on Monday to a minimum of 21 years in prison.
Councillor's Response
Councillor Shuranjeet Singh, representing Soho and Jewellery Quarter, described the killing as a "disgusting", "senseless", and "evil act". He said, "What his family is going through is absolutely unimaginable." Mr Nowak's murder has reignited debate about kirpans, ceremonial blades carried by some Sikhs as an article of faith, with some calling for their ban.
Councillor Singh, who carries a kirpan as a baptised Sikh, revealed he has been contacted by "many" Sikhs who are "disgusted" by the tragedy but also "scared" and feel targeted. He said, "They've reached out to me to say they're scared about how Reform and Restore are calling for the kirpan to be banned. This reactive and feckless response throws Sikhs under the bus, whilst ignoring the actual issues at hand."
Call for Action on Youth Violence
Mr Singh emphasised the need to address broader issues: "We actually need to do more on reducing youth violence, tackling knife crime, and improving standards in policing." He expressed disappointment at political parties "attacking communities" instead of focusing on real problems. "We must act against youth violence, stand with families like Henry's, and speak up against those who look to divide our communities," he added.
Police Bodycam Footage and Protest
Police bodycam footage showed Mr Nowak repeatedly telling officers he could not breathe as he lay dying in handcuffs after the 2025 stabbing. Digwa had lied to police, claiming he was the victim of a racist attack. In the footage, Mr Nowak is heard saying "I've been stabbed" before an officer replied, "I don't think you have mate." This has sparked unrest, with protesters clashing with riot police this week.
Councillor Singh said he was horrified by the victim's treatment in his final moments. "We need to make sure that all parties involved in his murder are brought to justice," he stated.
Allegations of Two-Tier Policing
West Midlands Police Acting Chief Constable, Scott Green, was questioned by the BBC over alleged 'two-tier policing'. He rejected claims from accusers, including Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who suggest police forces take allegations of racism more seriously than other crimes. Mr Green said, "There is no training in place that says we have to take allegations of racism over anything else. We judge every situation based on the facts in front of us and strive to do our very best on every occasion."
