Days after a British court sentenced Vickrum Singh Digwa, a 23-year-old Sikh man, to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years for the murder of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, expressed his heartfelt condolences to Nowak’s family.

The Jathedar said that Digwa’s punishment was justified and in accordance with the law for the crime he committed. He added that the legal process in the UK punished Digwa as it should, giving no special treatment to religious exemption, and the Sikh community agrees with the justice delivered.

“While it is necessary to punish offenders according to the law, attempts by certain forces to target the entire Sikh community over this incident, demand a ban on the Sikh article of faith, the kirpan, and engage in politics driven by hatred or racism appear to be part of a deep-rooted conspiracy,” Jathedar Gargajj said. He also called upon all Sikh organisations in the UK to stand with Nowak’s family and support them.

Digwa was sentenced for murdering Nowak, who was returning home alone after a night out with friends on December 3, 2025. Prosecutors said Digwa chased the unarmed teenager and stabbed him five times, inflicting fatal injuries to his heart and lungs.

Jathedar Gargajj said that, according to information received through prominent Sikhs in the UK, the weapon Digwa used was a Pesh Kabz, a Persian dagger and not the kirpan. He stressed that according to Sikh principles, Sikhs legitimately wear the kirpan to protect the oppressed and uphold justice, not to commit wrongdoing or injustice against anyone.

“Sikhs around the world are a peaceful, united, and law-abiding community. Wherever they reside, they contribute to the progress and prosperity of those countries while working for the welfare of humanity,” he stressed, noting that the Sikh community prays daily for the welfare of all humanity and has earned global respect through its service to mankind.

He said that the relationship between Sikhs and the UK dates back nearly 200 years. “Sikhs fought alongside Britain during the World Wars and contributed significantly to the country’s development through their hard work and dedication,” he pointed out.

The Jathedar said that certain elements were trying to exploit the Henry Nowak case for political gain by attributing the actions of one individual to the entire Sikh community. He appealed to communities in the UK, the government there, and Sikhs to continue living together in harmony and to identify those who are deliberately trying to create divisions, damage communal relations, and spread hatred or racism.

“The British government should keep a close watch on individuals and groups attempting to undermine social cohesion and communal harmony,” the Jathedar said, appealing to media organisations and social media platforms to report on the matter based on facts and truth, rather than promoting hatred or prejudice against any community.