The whole Sikh community has been “put in the dock” and some are scared to go out after the violent reaction to the murder of Henry Nowak that sparked protests led by far-right agitator Tommy Robinson, a community leader has said.
Jas Singh, principal advisor to the Sikh Federation UK, told The Independent the community was being targeted over the actions of the perpetrator Vickrum Digwa, with reports that Sikhs across the country had been accosted and intimidated.
Mr Nowak, an 18-year-old student, was stabbed to death in December and was arrested and handcuffed as he lay dying on the ground. His killer, Digwa, falsely accused him of racism, leading the police to mistakenly believe that Mr Nowak did not need immediate assistance.
Sikh community leaders have been quick to condemn the actions of Digwa, making clear that they go against the teachings of the Sikh faith.
However Reform UK and Restore Britain have used the opportunity to call for the kirpan, a ceremonial Sikh dagger worn by baptised Sikhs which wasn’t even the weapon used in the killing, to be banned.
While Digwa had been wearing a traditional kirpan under his clothing, the weapon he used to stab Nowak was bigger and worn in a sheath on top of his clothes, the trial heard.
Nigel Farage also used a video address on Tuesday to call for “pure cold rage” in response to footage showing how police officers dealt with Mr Nowak as he was dying. Policing minister Sarah Jones hit out at his comments on Wednesday, saying they were “irresponsible” and “unhelpful” after violent clashes between protesters and the police in Southampton.
Mr Singh told The Independent there had been a “politicisation of this case by the Far Right, Restore and Reform”, adding: “They have inflamed it and are dragging the Sikh community as a whole into this, which is highly irresponsible.”
He added: “Especially when the father of Henry has been very clear that he doesn’t want this case to fuel hatred, they are doing the exact opposite. Nigel Farage and others are utilising this case for their own agendas”.
He added that there are questions for the police to answer about how Mr Nowak was treated in his final moments, and that it was right there would now be a review into the police response.
He warned: “The whole Sikh community is being put in the dock for the actions of one individual. We’ve been asked every day from people who are scared to go out, because they can’t separate themselves from the kirpan. It is an integral part of their being. No one is going to take their turban off, we are a very distinct community. So I explain to people to be vigilant, be conscious of your surroundings, expect comments.”
He called on the government to provide support for the Sikh community, such as extra security at Gurdwaras and financial support for hate crime reporting. He referenced the targeting of ethnic minorities that took place after the migrant hotel protests, saying: “The last thing we want is another tragedy on our hands”.
Mr Singh said more support was needed for the Sikh community, after two Sikh women were raped in separate racially aggravated attacks at the end of last year. He said: “We are having to face this barrage of wall to wall demonisation on our own.” He added: “It’s snowballed out of control, I would describe it as a burning inferno, our community has never been in the spotlight and in the flames as much as this.”
In a joint statement, the council of Southampton Gurdwaras said that Digwa’s actions were “in direct contradiction to Sikh teachings and values that have guided Sikh communities for more than five centuries, including in Britain for over 150 years.”
Labour MP, Tan Dhesi, said Henry’s father handled himself with dignity and poise in his statement outside court, in which he said that he didn’t want his son’s murder to lead to division, hatred or tension. Mr Dhesi told media: “This is not about Sikhism, this isn’t about racism, it’s about the murder committed by one violent individual.”
Speaking about the fears of his Slough constituents, particularly those in the Sikh community, Mr Dhesi said: “Many of them fear, not just shame because it is committed by someone from the Sikh community, who is visibly Sikh, they are going through shock as well, but the fear now for many of them because of the calls from the likes of Reform and Restore about banning the kirpan…they are fearful about their ability to freely practice their faith.”
Jasveer Singh, Sikh Press Association Senior Press Officer, said it had received reports from across the country of Sikhs being accosted and intimidated. He said: “Sikh organisations across the UK have been going out of their way to express sympathies to the loved ones of Henry Nowak, as it is his murder which is the real tragedy of this time.
“Yet, despite pleas from his father for this not to happen, there are reports coming from across the country of Sikhs being accosted and intimidated, usually revolving around wearing of the kirpan. We have had messages from Kaurs (Sikh women) saying they feel unsafe travelling right now.”
He added that community groups were now thinking about how they can safeguard their members.
In a joint statement on Thursday, local MPs for Southampton, Darren Paffey and Satvir Kaur, said the protests that shook the town were a “grotesque and cynical spectacle of a young man’s death being used to whip up division, inflame tensions, and provoke criminal disorder.”
They added: “Those who choose to come to our city and hijack this tragedy to stoke hatred: you are not wanted here.”
