British Sikhs facing ‘collective punishment’ for ‘heinous and cowardly crime’
A British Sikh commentator has warned that “decades of good will for British Sikhs has been damaged because of the action of one dangerous and dishonest Sikh heritage monster: Vickrum Digwa”. Digwa was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of 18-year-old finance student Henry Nowak in Southampton, after stabbing him with a knife he claimed to carry for religious reasons. He was also wearing a ceremonial Sikh kirpan, but the court heard that the murder weapon was a separate blade. Writing in the Spectator, Hardeep Singh, deputy-director at the Network of Sikh Organisations, said Digwa does not represent Sikhs and his actions have “single handedly caused serious damage to the good reputation of Britain’s 525,865 majority law abiding Sikh community. We are facing what feels like collective punishment for his heinous and cowardly crime”. He said Sikhs had earned a reputation for being a model minority and an integration success story. The resulting backlash has led to an unprecedented “online pile-on against Sikhs”, and calls for the kirpan, the ceremonial dagger which must be worn by Sikhs as a symbol of their faith, to be banned. But he argues “this appalling case should not lead to a crackdown on innocent Sikhs”. Article is here
‘Something has shifted’ for British Sikhs
The Guardian quotes Amandeep Singh, from the charity Basics of Sikhi, who also spoke of a community successfully integrated, but said “something had shifted” for Sikhs across the UK after the murder. He said: “At least 15 people have been accosted on the streets by collectives of white individuals surrounding Sikhs and asking, ‘Have you got a kirpan?’, trying to stir up racial tensions.”
Bishop says responding to violence with violence is never the answer
The Anglican Bishop of Southampton, Rhiannon King, said the murder was a tragedy and the community is praying for his family amid their devastating loss. She urged support for people wanting to bring change for the better, saying his family’s wish that his death should not be used to create division and hatred should be heeded. Society needed to talk about the “terrible manner” of his death, with calm, openness, compassion and understanding. Responding to violence with violence is never the answer, she said.
CofE racial justice leads condemn the murder and pray for peaceful response
The Church of England’s lead bishops for racial justice, the Bishop of Croydon, Rosemarie Mallett, and the Bishop of Kirkstall, Arun Arora, have condemned the murder of Henry Nowak as an act of evil which was ‘accompanied by lies. They stand with the Bishop of Southampton in her call for a prayerful and peaceful response to recent events, and they pray for all of those in Southampton and elsewhere who now live and work in greater fear of violence. Statement is here
In the Commons, Sir Keir Starmer accused Nigel Farage of exploiting the death of Henry Nowak to create “grievance and division”. Farage suggested on a social media post that the British public respond with “pure, cold rage”, after a film showing police handcuffing Henry Nowak as he lay dying, went viral online. He said the police handling of the situation was the result of “two-tier policing”. The National Police Chiefs’ Council has confirmed that it is reviewing its guidance around anti racism.
Other news
Pope Leo’s visit to Spain unveiled
Pope Leo XIV will make his fourth international journey next week with a six-day visit to Madrid, Barcelona, and the Canary Islands, during which he is expected to address issues including peace, disarmament, migration, youth and the role of the Church in modern society. The six day trip, from Saturday 6 June, will take the Pope to Madrid, Barcelona and the Canary Islands, where around half a million people are expected to attend events. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the visit would encourage a Church that “still has much to say” in Spain and Europe. The Pope is expected to meet political leaders, young people and migrants, and will visit the Canary Islands to highlight the human cost of migration across the Atlantic route. The Vatican says it will be “a trip of powerful images”, including a visit to the Royal Palace and the Congress of Deputies, Madrid’s Movistar Arena and Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, and the Basílica de la Sagrada Família, the tallest church in the world with five towers, designed by Antoni Gaudi. He will also visit the social project “Cedia 24 Horas”, in Madrid’s Lucero district, helping vulnerable and homeless people.
Catholic priest sentenced to life for sexual assault
A Roman Catholic priest in Texas has been sentenced to life after being convicted of clergy sexual assault. Anthony Odiong, aged 57, was the subject of a Guardian investigation where survivors accused him of sexual coercion, unwanted touching and abusive financial control while at the same time providing spiritual direction. One alleged a sexual relationship lasting three years. Character witnesses urged the court to give him probation, but he was jailed and told he will not be eligible for parole for 30 years. He will seek to appeal.
‘Godbots’ offering companionship but sometimes dangerous advice
Two academics from Coventry University have been investigating Godbots, artificial intelligence bots which give spiritual advice to followers. They’ve identified chatbots for Christians, Hindus, Jews and Sikhs – now discontinued. Usually they are set up by enterprising individuals rather than official leaders, and are organic in the absence of any top down rules based structure. The academics conclude there is “undeniably an appeal and demand” for chatbot services, with some research suggesting people fear less judgment and appreciate being more honest. However, there are pitfalls, as bots fed information from sacred texts can offer wrong and sometimes dangerous advice, with one issuing this using “the voice of God”. Article is here
Essex County Council introduces Lord’s prayer and national anthem
Essex County Council, now under Reform control, has announced that the Lord’s Prayer will be said and the national anthem sung at the start of its full council meetings. It follows Reform led Kent and Derbyshire councils in making the change. There was no debate or vote, but Reform councillor Jaymey McIvor told the BBC this wasn’t necessary: “As a party, we’re proud of our Christian heritage, so it’s absolutely fitting to have the Lord’s Prayer at the start of our meetings”.
