Sikhs in Southampton say they are living in fear and avoiding going out after a man named Vickrum Singh Digwa was jailed for the murder of student Henry Nowak. Sikh community leaders have warned of rising incidents of racial abuse and intimidation in the city.Community representatives told The Times that many Sikhs are now reluctant to leave their homes, and some are afraid to walk to monasteries or leave elderly relatives alone. There has been an increase in abuse in workplaces and public spaces, while planned commemorations of Sikh community figures have been canceled due to safety concerns.A spokesman for Southampton’s Gurdwara Khalsa Darbar said the situation had left people feeling targeted. “We feel like victims, people are afraid to come out of their homes. The gurdwara is empty because people won’t come here.”The spokesman publicized several incidents of racial abuse, including in workplaces and supermarkets. “Two people were called p***s at Southampton Cruise Terminal where they worked and another was shopping in Tesco and was told: ‘You don’t need to be here.’ People working in care homes were refused care because they were wearing headscarves.”She added that public discussion surrounding the murder had heightened tensions. “This far right movement has actually made everyone hate Sikhs through no fault of our own. We have never been in the spotlight for the wrong reasons, we have always lived in Southampton, have always been friends, there has only been one isolated incident where Sikhs were bad. Especially men with turbans, beards and kirpans who felt scared to go out.“She also said there had been no previous issues with Kirpan: “But politicians, social media and the news, it’s all about Sikhs, Sikhs, Sikhs, just against Sikhs. That’s the way social media and politicians use rhetoric, they bring negativity to everyone around Sikhs.”Concerns have been raised after Vickrum Digwa, 23, was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak. Henry Nowak was stabbed with a 21cm Sikh ceremonial dagger as he returned home from a night out. Digueva later claimed the victim racially assaulted him. This claim was rejected in court.The killings followed an anti-police protest involving far-right figures that erupted in Southampton on Tuesday, injuring 11 police officers and a police dog and leading to multiple arrests.Body-worn video released by police this week showed a wounded Nowak being handcuffed and questioned, even though he repeatedly said he had been stabbed and begged for medical help, saying he couldn’t breathe. “I don’t think you have, mate,” said one officer, who later bled to death in the street.The killing and its aftermath shocked the Sikh community. A member of the Gurdwara Nanaksar said the community was shocked and urged unity. “It wasn’t the kirpan that did it, it was the man who did it. It saddens me to see people protesting why Sikhs are allowed to carry kirpan. This is not a kirpan issue; this is a human issue. Kirpan is a spiritual object. No matter what society, murderers need to be punished. We all need to come together to fight crime. ““Personally, I just can’t understand it,” said a neighbor of the Digwa family. “How could you think it was a good idea to use a weapon in an argument?”One of the officers involved resigned last year, and three others remain on active duty.
