‘Any Indian who supports Vikrum Digwa must be deported’: UK MPs warn after Sikh man murders Henry Novak

Calls for tougher action against those linked to convicted killer Vikrum Digwa are growing after MP Rupert Lowe said “any Indian covering up for Vikrum Digwa must be deported immediately”, while the debate over the murder of Southampton student Henry Novak and the use of edged weapons under religious exemptions continues.Lowe is the MP for Great Yarmouth and a leader of the Renew Britain movement. He made the remarks on X after Digwa was convicted. Digwa, a 23-year-old Sikh man, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 21 years for the murder of 18-year-old university student Henry Nowak in Southampton.The politician also called for kirpan to be banned in the UK, calling it an “un-British religious event”.Digvar was convicted of stabbing Nowak to death on Dec. 3 as Nowak was walking home alone after a night out with friends. Digwa used a 21cm blade, which he claimed was part of his Sikh faith.Judge William Mousley KC rejected Digueva’s claim that he acted in self-defence after being racially abused. In sentencing him, the judge said Digwa had brought “disgrace” to his family and his religion.“You were conscious but carrying a large Sikh dagger,” Musley told the defendant.Novak is a first-year University of Southampton student from Chalford Hand, Essex. He was stabbed five times, wounded in the face, legs and fatally wounded in the chest. Prosecutors said Digueva had a “weapons obsession.”Neighbors heard Novak say he had been stabbed and was in critical condition. He tried to escape by climbing over a fence, leaving a trail of blood in his wake.Police body camera footage showed officers initially identified Nowak as a suspect, and the case drew national attention. Although he repeatedly said “I’ve been stabbed” and “I can’t breathe,” he was handcuffed and arrested for assault after Digueva lied about being assaulted.The police later apologized, saying they had been misled by information provided at the scene and faced an “extremely complex” situation.Henry’s father, Mark Novak, described the events as “excruciating”.He said: “Henry died without dignity. He was not given the care he deserved. He was unconscious before anyone could believe him.”Meanwhile, debate continues over the weapons used in the attack. The Sikh Federation said the blade used by Digwa was not a religious knife known as a kirpan and accused authorities of failing to make a clear distinction. However, the Crown Prosecution Service said Digwa chose to carry two ceremonial knives and the judge accepted its assessment that the weapon was the kpan knife Digwa had chosen to use.Digwa was also convicted of carrying a knife in public. His mother, Kiran Kaur, 53, was found guilty of assisting an offender after trying to conceal the murder weapon. She will be sentenced on July 17.