Dabinderjit Singh, of the Sikh Federation, says there is a genuine battle between Reform UK and Labour for Sikh voters. The recent murder of Henry Nowak by Vickrum Digwa, a British Sikh, has tested the alliance between some Sikhs and the populist right.
Reform UK under fire over kirpan stance
Reform UK faces questions from its Sikh members after Zia Yusuf threatened to stop British Sikhs from carrying ceremonial kirpan blades. Community leaders blame Nigel Farage's call for 'pure, cold rage' after the murder for fueling anti-Sikh hate crime.
Concerns over racist scapegoating
Richard Tice met Sikh leaders after furious activists warned the party risked losing their vote. Navtaij Sangha, a Reform activist, welcomed a nuanced debate on kirpan rules. Sikh organizations say Digwa used a Persian blade, not a kirpan, but the case has sparked debate on Sikh identity.
Yusuf posted on X that Reform would repeal the kirpan exemption. Farage's 'pure, cold rage' comment intensified backlash against law-abiding Sikhs. Singh said Farage's words were 'unforgivable' and threw petrol on a fire.
Electoral impact
Reform has about 100 Sikh activists and fielded 30 ethnic minority candidates in Hounslow in May's local elections. Support for Reform among Sikhs rose from 3% in 2024 to 7% in 2025, while Labour support fell from 40% to 18%. However, Yusuf and Farage's comments have blindsided some activists.
Jasvir Singh of City Sikhs said recent events are a turning point, and if Reform bans the kirpan, there will be an exodus of Sikh votes. Dabinderjit Singh noted Sikh voters are critical in seats where Reform is second to Labour or where Labour faces independent challengers.
Community reactions
One Sikh community leader said Reform used Sikhs as a visible minority with conservative values, but many now refuse to vote for them. Sangha argued for a debate on kirpan rules, saying younger Sikhs sometimes push the rules. Singh warned that upsetting communities can have generational consequences.
Reform UK was approached for comment.
