In December 2025, 18-year-old student Henry Nowak was fatally stabbed in Southampton. The killer, Vickrum Digwa, claimed he was carrying the knife for religious reasons tied to his Sikh faith. But a group of 11 Sikh MPs has said the murder was “not about Sikhism” – and the case has reignited a fierce debate about UK knife laws and religious exemptions.
Under UK law, it is illegal to carry most knives in public without a good reason. However, Section 139 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 provides exemptions for religious reasons – for example, the kirpan, a ceremonial knife worn by baptised Sikhs. In court, Digwa said he carried a blade in a sheath and a larger dagger as part of his tradition as a member of the Nihang order of Sikhs. The judge accepted that the weapon used was a kirpan, but the Sikh Federation has condemned the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for not making clear that the blade was not a religious knife. The CPS said the judge agreed with its assessment that the weapon was a kirpan.
“Explains the Henry Nowak murder, UK knife laws, and the religious exemption controversy.”
The case has triggered violent protests in Southampton and a wave of backlash against the Sikh community. Dabinderjit Singh, a senior executive at the Sikh Foundation, said attacks on Sikhs had taken place “up and down the country” every day since Digwa was sentenced. He compared the backlash to the 1984 massacre at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, when Indian troops stormed the site and at least 400 people died. “If you’re a Sikh, then you’re a potential victim,” he said at a rally in London.
Prominent figures have weighed in. Billionaire Elon Musk criticised UK knife law following Digwa’s conviction. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called for “pure, cold rage” after bodycam footage showed Nowak handcuffed as he told police “I can’t breathe”. US Vice-President JD Vance blamed the murder on immigration. Both Kemi Badenoch and Sir Keir Starmer accused Farage of politicising the killing against the family’s wishes.
For UK readers, the case highlights a tricky legal balance. The religious exemption for knives is meant to protect the practice of faiths like Sikhism, where the kirpan is a symbol of religious duty. But critics argue it can be exploited by criminals. The murder has also raised questions about how police handle such incidents – officers initially believed Digwa’s false claim that he had been racially abused and acted in self-defence.
Q: What is the religious exemption for knives in UK law? Under Section 139 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988, it is a defence to carry a knife in public if it is for religious reasons. This is intended to allow Sikhs to carry a kirpan, a ceremonial dagger. The defence must be genuine – the knife must be a religious article, not an offensive weapon.
Q: Was the knife used in Henry Nowak’s murder a kirpan? The judge found that the weapon used was a kirpan. However, the Sikh Federation says it was not a religious knife, and has criticised the CPS for not contesting this in court. Sikh MPs also insist the murder was not about Sikhism and that the weapon was an offensive weapon, not a kirpan.
Q: Why has the case caused a backlash against Sikhs? After the murder, some people have targeted Sikhs, blaming the community for the killer’s actions. Dabinderjit Singh reported daily attacks on Sikhs, including physical assaults and threats. The Sikh MPs condemned the murder as a “horrific and senseless crime” and urged the public not to conflate the killer’s actions with the Sikh faith.
What happens next? The case has intensified calls to review knife laws, particularly the religious exemption. No official review has been announced, but the CPS may face pressure to clarify how it handles religious defences. Meanwhile, community leaders are urging calm and warning against further violence or discrimination.