"disrepute to a community that stands for service, justice, and peace."
Sikh leaders are to review guidance on the right to wear ceremonial knives after a kirpan was used in the murder of student Henry Nowak.
Gurmel Singh, chief executive of the Supreme Sikh Council UK, said leaders will meet on May 30 and in the coming weeks to “review safeguards” in religious training and ensure such an incident is “never repeated”.
Under UK law, possession of a kirpan is permitted for religious and ceremonial reasons. The College of Policing states there is no legally prescribed size for a kirpan in the UK.
At the time of Henry Nowak’s murder, killer Vickrum Digwa was carrying two traditional knives, a small kirpan around his neck and a longer 21cm blade used in the attack.
The victim, a finance student at Southampton University, was arrested by police as he lay dying after Digwa falsely claimed Mr Nowak had racially abused him.
Reform UK’s Robert Jenrick and Zia Yusuf pledged that if the party came to power, they would ban the right for Sikhs to carry a kirpan in public.
Mr Singh told The Telegraph: “We extend our deepest condolences to the family of Henry Nowak, who was tragically killed. Our thoughts are with them during this devastating time.
“The Sikh community unequivocally condemns the actions of Vickrum Digwa.
“His conduct represents a grave breach of our values and code of conduct, and has brought disrepute to a community that stands for service, justice, and peace.
“Wearing the Sikh articles of faith is a sacred responsibility, not a symbol to be misused. Any act that violates the principles of Sikhi will always be condemned in the strongest possible terms.
“Community leaders are meeting to review safeguards and ensure that such isolated incidents are never repeated.
“We are committed to internal accountability and will be launching a strengthened education campaign on the responsibilities that come with the articles of faith.
“While we reject reactionary political statements that use this tragedy for populism, we fully embrace our own responsibility to act.”
“The Sikh community will not excuse wrongdoing, and we will continue to uphold the integrity of our faith through action, not just words.”
He said many Sikhs also practised traditional and other martial arts where “discipline and emotions management” could be further “emphasised”.
After Digwa was found guilty on May 28, about 40 people from the protest group Southampton Patriots held a demonstration outside a police station.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary has apologised to Henry Nowak’s family after officers accepted Digwa’s false claims during the incident.
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