Shabana Mahmood is weighing up a move to ban Sikh ceremonial daggers in public following the murder of Henry Nowak.

After an engagement with the 18-year-old’s grieving family, the Home Secretary said she had not “taken any options off the table” in regard to tightening up knife laws from religious exemption.

Vickrum Digwa was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years in March over his murder, but this was increased to 25 years on Thursday after the Court of Appeal found it was “unduly lenient”.

During his trial, the 23-year-old successfully argued the eight-inch blade he used to stab the student to death was a Sikh kirpan.

He also had a “large dagger in a sheath” which was 21cm long because he was part of an order of Sikhs called the Nihang, who carry a second knife by tradition.

While it is generally a crime to carry a knife in public, there are exceptions for penknives and blades carried for work, as well as for blades carried for religious reasons.

There are also exceptions for blades carried for religious reasons, with Sikhs allowed to carry the kirpan as part of their faith.

The Nowak family has urged the Government to bring in a clearer definition in law of what a Sikh kirpan looks like following Henry’s death.

The Home Secretary told ITV News: “I haven’t taken any options off the table. I’m also not going in with a fixed mind about what the right clarifications of the law might be.

“It’s important to get the right balance between religious expression in this country, which is something that many of us of a faith, including myself, hold very dearly, but do so in a way that is within what we expect of our citizens for the purposes of the criminal law.”

Despite saying the kirpan’s exemption had been “long understood”, Ms Mahmood argued: “Recent practices of much bigger kirpans on display is much different to how most Sikhs have practised this part of their religion, where usually it’s a much smaller blade and is discreetly worn.

“What I’ve undertaken to the Nowak family is that I will look at this issue carefully.”

In the same programme, Henry’s father, Mark Nowak, said he did not accept the issue was “difficult to legislate”.

“Because the current ambiguity is probably being dealt with on the streets of Britain right now with police officers not knowing when to act and when not to act,” he added.

Kemi Badenoch, meanwhile, said ministers “do need to look at” knife laws, adding: “There is no freedom to murder in any religion and I think that we need to bring some common sense into this.”

The Conservative Party leader said: “This is something that we do need to look at because we want to make sure that religious minorities are integrated into our culture and that people don’t use loopholes which exist for religious minorities to commit crimes.

“I don’t think using a religious object should allow you to have a lesser sentence.

“If somebody hurts you with a wooden crucifix, they shouldn’t get a lighter sentence.”

Mrs Badenoch also suggested there may have been a police “cover up” regarding the actions of officers who attended the scene before Henry’s death.

Henry was handcuffed by officers as he lay dying when his attacker falsely accused him of racial abuse.

The Leader of the Opposition also said she does “not have that full confidence” in the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which is currently investigating the official response to the incident.

Shabana Mahmood Considers Banning Sikh Daggers After 18-Year-Old’s Murder – Religious Freedom Under Threat?

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is considering major changes to Britain’s knife laws following the horrific murder of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak, raising a highly sensitive debate about religious freedom, public safety and the responsibilities of the Government.

The Labour Home Secretary has confirmed that she has not ruled out changes to the legal exemptions allowing practising Sikhs to carry ceremonial daggers known as kirpans.

Her intervention follows a campaign by Henry’s grieving family, who want the Government to introduce clearer legal restrictions governing the size, design and carrying of religious blades.

The case has attracted enormous public attention after the teenager was fatally stabbed in Southampton in December 2025 by Vickrum Digwa, who used an eight-inch blade that was successfully argued to be a kirpan during the criminal proceedings.

Mahmood has now promised to examine the issue carefully, insisting that Britain must strike the right balance between protecting religious expression and ensuring public safety.

However, her comments have already generated considerable controversy, with Sikh organisations warning against changes that could unfairly target an entire religious community because of the criminal actions of one individual.

The debate presents the Government with a difficult challenge: how can ministers prevent dangerous weapons from being carried in public without undermining the religious freedoms of law-abiding citizens?

Shabana Mahmood Refuses to Rule Out Changes to Sikh Dagger Laws

Speaking to ITV News on November 6, Mahmood confirmed that she was considering possible changes to the legislation governing religious exemptions for bladed weapons.

She said:

“I haven’t taken any options off the table.”

The Home Secretary also stressed that she was not approaching the issue with a predetermined solution.

She explained that religious expression was an important freedom in Britain but argued that it must operate within the expectations of criminal law.

Mahmood said:

“It’s important to get the right balance between religious expression in this country, which is something that many of us of a faith, including myself, hold very dearly, but do so in a way that is within what we expect of our citizens for the purposes of the criminal law.”

The comments suggest that the Government could consider tightening the existing exemption rather than automatically introducing a blanket prohibition.

Mahmood also highlighted concerns about the increasing visibility of larger ceremonial blades.

She argued that the traditional practice for many Sikhs involved carrying a smaller kirpan discreetly, rather than displaying substantially larger blades.

Her remarks indicate that ministers may examine whether clearer legal definitions are needed to distinguish religious articles of faith from larger weapons.

However, no final decision has been announced.

The Tragic Murder of Henry Nowak Sparked the Controversy

The debate centres on the death of Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old university student who was fatally stabbed in Southampton on December 3, 2025.

His attacker, Vickrum Digwa, was 23 at the time of the killing.

During the incident, Digwa used a large blade to stab the teenager five times.

The prosecution established that Digwa had been carrying two blades.

One was a small ceremonial kirpan worn around his neck, while the other was a much larger weapon.

The court heard that the larger blade measured approximately 21 centimetres.

Digwa successfully argued that the weapon fell within the religious exemption applying to Sikh ceremonial blades.

He was subsequently convicted of murder and initially received a life sentence with a minimum term of 21 years.

However, following an appeal by the prosecution, the Court of Appeal increased the minimum term to 25 years in November 2026.

The judges concluded that the original minimum term was unduly lenient and did not adequately reflect the seriousness and deliberate cruelty of the crime.

The case has therefore become central to the debate about whether Britain’s existing legislation provides sufficient clarity regarding religiously carried blades.

Henry’s Family Demands Clearer Rules

Henry’s father, Mark Nowak, has become a prominent campaigner for changes to the law.

He has argued that the Government must establish a clearer definition of what legally qualifies as a Sikh kirpan.

Speaking to ITV, he acknowledged the importance of religious freedom but questioned whether the existing legislation was sufficiently precise.

He said:

“I fully understand the need to carry a kirpan, but surely that should be defined in law in terms of size and type and whether it should be visible.”

He also argued that anything falling outside an appropriately defined religious exemption should be treated differently under the law.

The family’s campaign is not simply about the circumstances of one criminal conviction.

It is also about preventing similar situations in the future and giving police officers clear guidance about when a blade can legally be carried.

Mark Nowak has suggested that the current uncertainty creates difficulties for officers who must make decisions on the streets without always knowing whether a particular weapon falls within the religious exemption.

His argument has received support from people who believe that public safety legislation should be clear, consistent and enforceable.

For the family, the most important outcome would be ensuring that another parent does not experience the same devastating loss.

What Exactly Is a Sikh Kirpan?

A kirpan is a ceremonial dagger or sword that forms one of the five articles of faith worn by initiated Sikhs.

These articles are commonly known as the Five Ks and represent important commitments within Sikh religious identity.

The kirpan symbolises the responsibility to protect the vulnerable, defend justice and oppose oppression.

It is not simply regarded as an ordinary knife or decorative accessory.

For practising Sikhs, carrying a kirpan can be an important expression of religious commitment.

The other four articles of faith are:

• Kesh: Uncut hair, traditionally covered by a turban.
• Kara: A steel bracelet symbolising connection with the Sikh faith.
• Kanga: A small comb representing cleanliness and discipline.
• Kachera: A specific type of cotton undergarment representing self-control.

Sikh organisations have repeatedly explained that the kirpan represents responsibility and protection rather than aggression.

Many practising Sikhs carry relatively small ceremonial blades discreetly beneath their clothing.

However, the size and appearance of kirpans can vary, creating difficulties when legislation attempts to establish a precise definition.

This is one of the reasons the debate has become particularly complicated.

Any changes must consider the religious significance of the kirpan while ensuring that the law can distinguish genuine religious practice from the unlawful possession or use of weapons.

What Does British Law Currently Say?

Under existing British legislation, there are exceptions allowing people to carry certain bladed articles for legitimate reasons.

These include religious, sporting, historical and professional purposes.

Sikhs who meet the relevant religious requirements are permitted to carry kirpans.

However, the exemption does not give anyone permission to use a blade unlawfully or commit violence.

The legal question surrounding Henry’s murder has focused on whether the existing definition of a kirpan is sufficiently clear.

The prosecution argued that Digwa was carrying two ceremonial blades, while Sikh community representatives have strongly disputed the suggestion that the larger weapon represented an ordinary kirpan.

This distinction is extremely important.

A religious exemption should not become a way of avoiding responsibility for criminal conduct.

At the same time, legislation must avoid treating every practising Sikh who carries a kirpan as a potential criminal.

The Government may therefore need to examine whether restrictions on blade dimensions, visibility or the circumstances in which kirpans can be carried would provide greater clarity.

Kemi Badenoch Supports Reviewing the Law

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has also called for changes to the legislation.

Speaking during the same ITV News programme, she described a review of the law as reasonable.

Badenoch argued that religious freedom should never provide protection for criminal violence.

She said:

“There is no freedom to murder in any religion.”

She also questioned whether the use of a religious object should result in different treatment when an individual commits a serious offence.

Her comments suggest that the Conservatives could support tighter controls on religious exemptions.

However, any proposal would need to distinguish between carrying a religious article of faith and using a weapon to commit an offence.

The distinction is essential if the Government wants to avoid creating unnecessary hostility towards religious minorities.

Sikh Community Leaders Warn Against Targeting an Entire Religion

While Henry’s family has called for legal reform, Sikh organisations have expressed concern about the wider consequences of the debate.

Community leaders have strongly condemned the murder and emphasised that Digwa’s actions should not be used to judge millions of Sikhs.

They argue that the overwhelming majority of practising Sikhs carry the kirpan peacefully as an expression of religious belief.

Some representatives have also questioned whether the weapon used in the murder should be described as a traditional kirpan at all.

The Sikh Federation has criticised the prospect of changing the law, arguing that ministers risk directing attention away from the failures that occurred during the incident.

The organisation has said that the murder weapon was not a conventional kirpan and that targeting the religious exemption would be inappropriate.

Sikh leaders have also highlighted concerns about hostility directed towards members of their community following the case.

Reports of harassment and intimidation have increased anxiety among some British Sikhs.

The community therefore faces a difficult situation: condemning a horrific crime while also defending the religious freedoms of innocent people.

Any legislative review will need meaningful consultation with Sikh representatives to avoid damaging relationships between the Government and religious communities.

Police Conduct During Henry’s Final Moments Also Under Scrutiny

Another major aspect of the tragedy concerns the actions of police officers who attended the scene.

Body-camera footage showed Henry being handcuffed while he was seriously injured.

He repeatedly told officers that he had been stabbed, but his statements were initially dismissed.

The footage has generated widespread outrage and raised serious questions about the decisions made by the officers involved.

An investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct is examining the circumstances.

Two officers have faced gross-misconduct investigations over their handling of the incident.

Mahmood has also commissioned an independent review led by former Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk KC to examine whether authorities missed opportunities to prevent the murder and how the case was handled.

For Henry’s family, the legal debate over kirpans is only one part of their campaign.

They also want answers about why their son was not immediately treated as a seriously injured stabbing victim.

These questions must not disappear from public attention while politicians debate possible changes to knife legislation.

Could Britain Introduce Restrictions on the Size of Kirpans?

One possible outcome of the Government’s review could involve introducing a clearer legal definition of an acceptable religious kirpan.

This might include examining the size, design and circumstances in which such blades can be carried.

Another possibility could involve more detailed national guidance for police officers.

Such guidance could help officers distinguish between a small religious article of faith and a substantially larger blade being carried in circumstances that raise legitimate safety concerns.

However, a blanket ban would raise much more complicated questions about religious freedom and equality.

The Government would need to consider the Human Rights Act, religious protections and the potential impact on Sikh communities.

It would also need to establish whether proposed restrictions would genuinely improve public safety.

Any new legislation must be carefully designed, proportionate and enforceable.

Simply banning a religious symbol would not automatically solve the wider problem of violent crime.

Conclusion: A Difficult Balance Between Religious Freedom and Public Safety

Shabana Mahmood’s decision to consider changes to the law governing Sikh ceremonial daggers has opened one of Britain’s most sensitive political and religious debates.

The murder of Henry Nowak was an appalling crime that has understandably left his family demanding answers and stronger protections for the public.

His father, Mark Nowak, wants clearer legislation defining exactly what constitutes a lawful kir