‘I’ve never experienced this level of resentment’: Sikh community facing backlash after Henry Nowak murder

Innocent Sikhs have been targeted, while the elderly and vulnerable are being urged to stay indoors, following the sentencing of Vickrum Digwa.

By Lisa Holland, communities correspondent, and Amrit Singh Mann, communities producer

It was three days after Vickrum Digwa was sentenced to life in prison over the murder of Henry Nowak when a Sikh priest from Digwa’s former place of worship in Southampton was attacked while out shopping.

Concerned members of the community who’ve spoken to the priest told us he was going about his business as usual when he was physically and verbally abused.

Sky News has been told the priest was told to “f*** off back to your country” and subjected to other unreportable swear words.

The priest did not sustain any physical injuries.

Image:Members of the Sikh community leave a gurdwara in Southall, west London

By the time of the attack, Britain’s Sikh community already knew they were facing a massive and unjustified backlash after the conviction of Digwa – a Sikh – for stabbing 18-year-old student Henry to death.

‘I’ve never experienced this level of resentment’

One member of the Sikh community in Southampton, who asked not to be named, said: “The attack on our priest [is] shocking.

“We have asked members of our community in Southampton to keep a low profile for the foreseeable future.

“We’ve encouraged elderly and vulnerable people to stay indoors.

“That’s how hostile the environment feels right now. I’ve lived in Southampton all my life and I’ve never experienced this level of resentment towards Sikhs before.

“I cannot tell you how deeply worrying these times are for us.”

Image:Britain’s Sikh community is facing a huge backlash after the sentencing of Vickrum Digwa

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Community leaders say the abuse is not confined to Southampton.

Image:Amarjeet Singh has set up a website to support Sikhs that have been targeted after the Digwa case

Amarjeet Singh, from Hounslow in west London, has launched a website for Sikhs across the country to report incidents of hate crime.

He says the site has received numerous reports in the past five days, with many respondents believing the abuse they experienced was linked to Digwa’s conviction.

“We’ve had reports of people being spat at, told to ‘f*** off’, and ordered to get out of the country,” he said.

“One message read: ‘I’ve just been to the gym, with staff telling me to leave for my own safety. They told me there was a guy they overheard saying if I come in the changing room, he’s gonna hang me with my dastar [turban].

“Virtually everyone who has contacted us so far believes the abuse they’ve received is because of this one individual.

“We’ve also received numerous reports of Sikhs being asked whether they are carrying a kirpan.”

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A kirpan is a small ceremonial blade that many Sikhs are legally permitted to carry as an article of faith.

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The issue has attracted increased attention since Henry’s murder, however, the weapon used to kill him was not a kirpan.

Digwa used a pesh-kabz, a traditional Indo-Persian dagger. Unlike a kirpan, it is not a religious article routinely carried by observant Sikhs.

After the trial, the Sikh Federation (UK) wrote to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood calling for anti-Sikh hate crimes to be recorded in a similar way to those against Jews and Muslims.

Dabinderjit Singh, chief executive for political engagement at the Sikh Federation (UK), said: “There has rightly been real anger following the release of the body cam footage towards the actions of police officers and Digwa.

“However, it is unacceptable that innocent law-abiding Sikhs across the UK are facing attacks and death threats simply for being Sikhs for the lies and murder of Henry by Digwa.”

SOURCE: https://news.sky.com/story/ive-never-experienced-this-level-of-resentment-sikh-community-facing-backlash-after-henry-nowak-murder-13551753