Dabinderjit Singh, of the Sikh Federation, says there is a genuine battle between Reform UK and Labour for Sikh voters. Until the murder of Henry Nowak by Vickrum Digwa, a British Sikh, traditional Labour support among Sikhs was declining while Reform support was rising. However, the alliance between some British Sikhs and the populist right is now facing its toughest test.
Reform UK Faces Backlash Over Kirpan Ban and Farage's Comments
Reform UK is facing questions from its own Sikh membership 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 Nowak's killer was jailed for contributing to anti-Sikh hate crime. The incident raises doubts about whether the populist right can retain ethnic minority voters.
Reform's deputy leader Richard Tice met Sikh leaders after 'furious' Sikh Reform activists warned the party risked losing their vote. Another Reform activist, Navtaij Sangha, said a nuanced debate on kirpan rules would be welcomed. Sikh organisations note that the blade used by Digwa was not a kirpan but a Persian blade worn as part of the Nihang warrior subculture.
Impact on Sikh Community and Political Support
Dabinderjit Singh said Yusuf's comments had 'no basis in logic' and Farage's words were 'unforgivable', intensifying a backlash against law-abiding Sikhs. A survey is being circulated collating hate crime experiences. Labour ministers have met MPs to discuss anti-Sikh hate, and Sikh organisations want an inquiry into police contacts with Digwa.
Singh added: 'There have been dozens of physical attacks on Sikhs in the UK... This is 9/11 for us all over again.' He said Farage 'threw petrol on the fire'. Reform UK has about 100 Sikh activists and fielded many ethnic minority candidates in local elections. However, some Sikh activists were 'blindsided' by Yusuf and Farage's comments.
Support for Reform among Sikhs increased from 3% in 2024 to 7% in 2025, while Labour support fell from 40% to 18%. Many Sikh votes are now up for grabs. North London activist Sangha said support for Reform grew 'organically' as some Sikhs feel their identity as established Brits is under threat from newer immigration. Brexit also played a role, with many Punjabi Sikhs having voted Leave.
Jasvir Singh, founder of City Sikhs, said recent events were a turning point: 'If they ban the kirpan, you will see an exodus of votes from Reform.' The majority of Sikh support remains with Labour, which has 11 Sikh MPs. Dabinderjit Singh noted Sikh voters are critical in several key seats.
One Sikh community leader said Reform had used Sikhs in a 'divide and rule strategy', but many now say they won't vote Reform. Sangha believes a debate on kirpan rules is healthy, as younger Sikhs sometimes push the rules. He said: 'The Sikh ethos of equality without identity politics drew many to Reform. There is space for us to discuss this.'
Reform UK was approached for comment.
