Government silence on massive spike in Anti-Sikh hate crimes to be challenged in Parliament, after 24-year old Sikh mother knifed to death in west London

London – 14 July 2026

Sikhs from across the UK will tomorrow be lobbying MPs in Parliament and asking serious questions of MPs and the government on their silence over Anti-Sikh hate crimes in the last two months.

Keir Starmer in Opposition told the Sikh community in a video message that successive governments had failed the Sikh community on Anti-Sikh hate because of their identity (for 25 years since 9/11) and a Labour government would put this right.

Sadly, on Sunday a 24-year old young Sikh woman, Kirandeep Kaur was fatally stabbed in Hayes, west London in a double stabbing by 44-year old Daniel Sean James from Pinner who has been charged with murder, attempted murder and possession of a bladed article.

Dabinderjit Singh OBE, the Chief Executive for political engagement said:

“More than two years after Labour came to power it has done nothing to recognise, acknowledge and tackle Anti-Sikh hate crimes on a par with Antisemitism and Anti-Muslim hate, as Keir Starmer categorically promised despite two racially aggravated horrific rapes of young Sikh women last September and October”

“We have been raising concerns about Anti-Sikh hate crimes and the misrepresentation of the sacred Kirpan directly with the Home Secretary and Policing Minister since late May. We have however faced a complete wall of silence despite MPs also taking up the matter with them.

“We had put on record it was only a matter of time before a Sikh was killed before there might be action to address the massive spike in Anti-Sikh hate crimes. A 24-year old young Sikh mother has now been knifed to death in west London in what her family have stated was a racially motivated attack.”

The Sikh Network has carried out a spot survey to assess the rise in Anti-Sikh hate crimes since mid-May when the trial of Vickrum Digwa commenced for the murder of Henry Nowak. The results will be shared with Parliamentarians tomorrow.

The survey has had over 1,000 responses from Sikhs across the UK. A staggering 40% of respondents indicated they have experienced or witnessed Anti-Sikh hate crimes since mid-May. Over 500 examples of hate crime have been personally experienced or witnessed by respondents.

Nearly 90% of respondents stated hate crimes have increased since mid-May with 61% indicating a significant increase. More than two-thirds indicated the significant increase coincided with politicians inappropriately questioning the sacred Kirpan.

53% of all respondents, particularly the elderly are not feeling safe. Sadly 84% are having to take precautions since the trial and two-thirds have had to change their daily routine.

For example, a retired man living in Coventry not in the 40% to have been experienced a hate crime stated: “I had to take my wife to see my daughter 100 miles away by car because of the fear of attack on public transport. I heard from relatives that verbal abuse and bodily harm attacks happening in trains.”

Nearly 50% of the hate crimes reported in the survey were verbal abuse while undertaking routine daily activities. This included children being verbally abused at school, Sikhs abused, shouted at and threatened travelling by public transport, driving or walking in the park, abused in the work environment or even when visiting hospital.

A further 25% experienced or observed online abuse. The use of swear or derogatory words, referring to the colour of skin or Sikh articles of faith were in person and online. The phrase “go back home” is commonly being used.

Almost 15% classified the hate crime as harassment and intimidation, while worryingly nearly 10% experienced vandalism, assaults, or grievous bodily harm. Although 60% stated they know how to report a hate crime to the police, only 6% of incidents mentioned in the survey were reported to the police. 70% stated they were not confident the police would take it seriously.

A care worker in his 30s from Southampton stated: “I have cared for an elderly lady for 2.5 years, but after the trial she refused my care and told me to get out.”

After Digwa was sentenced and the phrase “pure, cold rage” was used by Nigel Farage a retired man from East London was confronted by a total stranger who asked if he knocked off his turban would he stab him?

Another elderly man in East London stated: “A young black guy, probably in his early 20s, grabbed my arm from behind, turned me around and attempted to remove my turban. I resisted his attempt and a passer-by distracted him and my wife moved me away. The incident was reported to the police by me and the individual who intervened.”

Dabinderjit Singh added:

“Ministers and officials have been negligent in not wanting to engage on the results of the Sikh Network survey and have forced us to lobby Parliamentarians.

“Sikh MPs recently met Andy Burnham and discussed the issues we will be lobbying about as the Sikh community is being taken for granted under Keir Starmer.

“We expect Andy Burnham to overhaul the way government departments engage with the Sikh community and deal directly with leading Sikh community organisations that are accountable to the community.”

ENDS

Jaspal Singh Lead Executive

Sikh Federation (UK)