England 5 June: The Global Sikh Council (GSC) expresses its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Henry Nowak. The loss of a young life in such tragic and violent circumstances is heartbreaking. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this extremely difficult time.
GSC respects the verdict and sentence delivered by the court. The individual responsible has been convicted and sentenced under United Kingdom law, and no person who commits such a serious crime should be shielded from justice. The Sikh community fully supports the rule of law and believes that justice must apply equally to all.
At the same time, it is important that this case is discussed with accuracy, responsibility, and fairness. The criminal actions of one individual must not be used to blame, target, or stigmatise the wider Sikh community. Sikhs have lived peacefully in the United Kingdom for generations and have made positive contributions across public life, business, charity, education, and community service.
There has also been confusion in public discussion around the weapon involved in this case. The official sentencing remarks state that the accused was carrying a smaller kirpan separately, in addition to a larger dagger in a sheath. The court described the weapon used in the attack as a large dagger. Therefore, it is important that the Sikh article of faith, the kirpan, is not wrongly associated with violence or criminal behaviour.
For Sikhs, the kirpan is an article of faith and a symbol of moral responsibility, justice, and the duty to protect the vulnerable. It is not a weapon of aggression. Any act of violence, hatred, or unlawful conduct is completely against Sikh teachings and Sikh values.
GSC strongly rejects any misuse of Sikh identity, Sikh articles of faith, or religious protections for unlawful purposes. Equally, we reject any attempt to use this tragic case to create fear, prejudice, or hostility against Sikhs or any other community.
We urge political leaders, media organisations, commentators, and social media users to discuss this matter based on verified facts, not misinformation, prejudice, or generalisations. Responsible public discussion is essential to protect community harmony and to prevent innocent communities from being unfairly targeted.
The Sikh community in the United Kingdom has a long and honourable history of service, sacrifice, and contribution. Sikhs have served in Britain’s armed forces, supported public services, built businesses, contributed to charities, and worked for the welfare of local communities. GSC remains committed to peace, justice, community cohesion, and the principle of Sarbat da Bhala, the welfare of all humanity.
At this painful time, our focus should remain on compassion for Henry Nowak’s family, respect for the legal process, and a shared commitment to ensuring that no community is unfairly judged because of the criminal actions of one individual.
Author: khireyapunjab
ਸ੍ਰ. ਸੰਤੋਖ ਸਿੰਘ ਪ੍ਰੇਮੀ (ਐਡੀਟਰ ਖਿੜਿਆ ਪੰਜਾਬ) ਸਤਿਕਾਰਯੋਗ ਪਿਤਾ ਜੀ ਨੇ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾ ਪੇਪਰ 1969 ਵਿੱਚ ਬਾਜ਼ਾਰ ਕਾਠੀਆਂ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ ਤੋਂ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਕੀਤਾ ਸੀ । ਉਸ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਕੁੱਝ ਸਮਾਂ ਖਿੜਿਆ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਹਫਤਾਵਾਰੀ ਖਾਲੜਾ ਮੰਡੀ ਤੋਂ ਵੀ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼ਿਤ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਰਿਹਾ । ਪਿਤਾ ਜੀ ਨੇ ਇਹ ਮਹੀਨਾਵਾਰੀ ਪੇਪਰ ਸ੍ਰ. ਲਛਮਣ ਸਿੰਘ ਗਿੱਲ (ਮਰਹੂਮ ਮੁੱਖ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਪੰਜਾਬ) ਦੀ ਯਾਦ ਵਿੱਚ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਕੀਤਾ ਸੀ ਕਿਉਂ ਕਿ ਉਹ ਗਿੱਲ ਜੀ ਨਾਲ ਪਰਸਨਲ ਪੀ. ਏ. ਦੇ ਤੌਰ ਤੇ ਵਿਚਰੇ ਸਨ । ਅਸੀ ਪਿਛਲੇ ਸਮੇਂ ਤੋਂ ਖਿੜਿਆ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਯੂ ਟਿਊਬ ਚੈਨਲ ਚਲਾ ਰਹੇ ਸੀ । ਹੁਣ ਪਿਤਾ ਜੀ ਵਲੋਂ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਕੀਤਾ ਨਿਊਜ਼ ਪੇਪਰ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਆਨਲਾਈਨ ਚਾਲੂ ਕੀਤਾ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ । ਅਕਾਲ ਪੁਰਖ ਸਹਾਈ ਹੋਵੇ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਅਤੇ ਪੰਜਾਬੀਅਤ ਦੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰਨ ਦਾ ਬੱਲ ਬਖਸ਼ੇ ।
