Sikh Federation says kirpan focus distracts from alleged failings in murder case

The Sikh Federation says the Home Office is focusing unfairly on the kirpan, a sacred Sikh article of faith, instead of addressing alleged police and government failings in the case of Henry Nowak’s murder. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is considering changes to knife laws after Nowak’s father called for clearer rules on what qualifies as a kirpan.

The Federation says the murder weapon was not a kirpan and has called for an urgent meeting with the Government. It is encouraging more than 250 gurdwaras to write to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, while Sikhs are expected to contact MPs. Vickrum Digwa’s minimum prison term was increased from 21 to 25 years on appeal; he also had a 21cm dagger, while carrying a kirpan in public is generally covered by a religious exemption.