A group of 11 Sikh MPs have issued a joint statement singling out Sikhism over the murder of 18-year-old student Henry Novak, who was stabbed by Sikh man Vikram Singh Digwa in Southampton.The intervention comes amid growing public anger over the case, which has sparked debate about Britain’s knife laws and legal exemptions that allow Sikhs to carry ceremonial blades for religious reasons.The statement was signed by several high-profile Sikh MPs, including Labor MP and chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group of British Sikhs Jas Athwal, Health Minister Preet Kaur Gill and Tan Dhesi.Reiterating their position, the MPs concluded: “This was not about Sikhism. This was about a man carrying an offensive weapon and committing a brutal murder.”
‘This matter was not related to Sikh religion’
In their statement, the lawmakers called Novak’s murder a “horrible and senseless crime” and expressed their condolences to his family.“As Sikh MPs, we believe it is important to be clear about the facts,” the statement said. “This case was not about Sikhism, and the weapon used was not a kirpan. As the court found, it was an offensive weapon. No religious protections or justifications were applied, and the perpetrator was correctly convicted and sentenced.”MPs said knife crime is devastating families and communities across the UK and stressed that the case should not be used to stigmatize an entire religious community.
The weapon used was not a saber but an ‘offensive weapon’: MP
Digva, 23, was sentenced to life in prison this week after being convicted of murdering Novak in December 2025. Court proceedings heard that Degawa stabbed the University of Southampton student with a 21cm pointed dagger, an Indo-Persian dagger historically designed to pierce armour. He also had a kirpan – a small ceremonial blade traditionally carried by observant Sikh men.Digwa claimed that he had the weapons for religious reasons related to Sikhism. However, lawmakers said the blade used in the attack was not a saber and no religious exemption applied in the case.
Controversy over religious blade exemption
Under UK law, it is illegal to carry most knives in public without a valid reason. The law provides limited exemptions for religious purposes, including the carrying of kirpans by Sikhs.The case has sparked controversy between Sikh organizations and prosecutors over how the weapon was characterized during the trial.The Sikh Federation has argued that the murder weapon was not a religious blade and accused the authorities of contributing to the “demonization” of the Sikh community. However, the Crown Prosecution Service said the judge agreed with its assessment in relation to the knives carried by Degwa.
Outrage over police reaction after stabbing
Public anger also focused on the immediate aftermath of the attack. Bodycam footage shown during the proceedings showed Novak lying on the ground after being stabbed, while DeGava reportedly claimed he was racially abused and acted in self-defense.When officers arrived, Novak was handcuffed, despite repeatedly telling police that he had been stabbed and was struggling to breathe. The teen later died from his injuries.The footage prompted criticism of the police response and sparked protests in Southampton, some of which turned into chaos.