Sikh organizations across the UK have issued a public statement urging people not to link the Sikh faith with the ongoing murder trial linked to the death of 18-year-old University of Southampton student Henry Nowak.The statement, issued by the British Sikh Federation, expressed its condolences to Nowak’s family and described the incident as inconsistent with Sikh teachings and values.“On behalf of Sikh organizations and communities across the country, we express our deepest condolences for the tragic loss of life,” the statement read.“Our thoughts and prayers remain with Novak’s family and loved ones during this extremely difficult time.”The organizations said the case should not be used to make broader assumptions about Sikh beliefs or religious practices.
“This incident, as reported, is not consistent with the Sikh faith, the Sikh community, or the principles it stands for,” the statement added.“Sikh teachings are based on compassion, justice, humility, responsibility and service to humanity.”The statement also described the Sikh community as peaceful, well-integrated and an important part of British society.
Community leaders urged the public to allow the legal proceedings to proceed without bias, and called for restraint in the public discussion surrounding the case.“We respectfully urge everyone to allow the judicial process to proceed fairly and without bias, and to refrain from making broad assumptions or judgments about the Sikh faith or Sikh religious practices based on an individual case,” the statement read.The comments come during the trial of Vikram Dhigwa, 23, at Southampton Crown Court.Degoa denies murder and denies carrying a blade in public after the fatal stabbing of Henry Nowak in Belmont Road, Southampton, on December 3, 2025.The court heard that Nowak, of Chafford Hundred in Essex, suffered five wounds from the 21cm-long kirpan, a Sikh ceremonial sword, including a fatal wound to the chest.Degoa claims he acted in self-defense after an altercation in which Nowak allegedly racially abused him, punched him, removed his turban and grabbed his hair during a confrontation after a night out.The defendant told the court that he feared Nowak would use the kirpan against him.His mother, Kiran Kaur, is also on trial on charges of assisting a criminal by removing a weapon from the scene. She denies the charge.The trial continues.