Sikh community say they "condemn" actions of Southampton murderer
The Southampton Sikh community have issued a statement on the murder of a student
The Southampton Sikh community's saying they condemn the actions of a man who murdered a student using a ceremonial knife.
Vickrum Digwa stabbed 18-year-old Henry in Southampton in December last year, and was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years on Monday 1st June.
He was wearing a small ceremonial knife – known as a kirpan - his second blade, described by the trial judge as “a large Sikh dagger”, was used as the murder weapon.
A spokesperson for the Council of Southampton Gurdwaras said: " In December 2025, our city suffered the tragic murder of a young man with his life ahead of him.
"Out of respect for the English legal process and to ensure Henry’s family had the opportunity to be heard, we have refrained from commenting on the case.
"Now that Digwa has been found guilty by a jury of his peers and sentenced, we wish to share our profound sorrow and heartfelt condolences for the unnecessary loss of a young man’s life.
"We do not know Henry, his parents or his brother and sisters, but we offer solidarity, as much as we can, in these heartbreaking circumstances.
"The pain that they have shared in their statements to the court should be in the minds of all communities in our city.
"It particularly resonates with us in the Sikh community.
"Digwa’s actions were in direct contradiction to Sikh teachings and values that have guided Sikh communities for more than five centuries, including in Britain for over 150 years.
"The jury rejected his account, and His Honour Judge Bill Mousley KC observed in sentencing that Digwa’s false narrative deprived Henry of dignity in his final moments.
"His conduct is wholly unrepresentative of Sikhs in Southampton, the UK, or anywhere else. We condemn it unreservedly.
"Through his actions, Digwa has caused profound and lasting harm to many people and families. It is right that he now serves the sentence imposed by the court.
"Crimes of this nature must not be used to foster division between communities or to weaken the bonds that hold society together.
"Such division is contrary to the principles of Sikh teaching, which emphasise respect, responsibility, and living alongside others in mutual understanding, irrespective of difference, as one large integrated community.
"We also acknowledge that Digwa’s mother was convicted of assisting an offender.
"We do not seek to diminish the seriousness of that finding.
"We are mindful that Henry was a much-loved son, and we keep his parents in our thoughts.
"There are no words on a piece of paper or in a statement which can possibly come close to providing solace to the family, but we share our Ardas (prayers) as a community for them.
"Throughout this difficult period, we have been struck by the dignity and moral strength shown by Henry's family, through all of the online noise from third parties.
"As they said in their statement, there is no closure and no ending to their pain, yet even at such a moment, they highlighted Henry’s death should not be seized upon to cause division.
"Despite being so grievously and personally wronged by Digwa's crime, they have been a powerful example of decency to us all, irrespective of background or belief."