London Desi Roundup: Sikh inquiry demand, Bangladeshi mayors, and Curry Awards 2026

London's South Asian communities made headlines across three fronts this week: a Sikh advocacy organisation formally demanded a government inquiry into a teenager's death, British-Bangladeshi candidates claimed historic mayoral victories in East London, and a Bexleyheath curry house was recognised at the English Curry Awards 2026.

Sikh Federation demands public inquiry into Henry Nowak's death

The Sikh Federation UK has called on the British government to hold a public inquiry into what it describes as systemic failures surrounding the death of Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old Sikh student killed in Southampton in December 2025. The perpetrator, Vickrum Digwa, 23, used a knife he claimed to carry as part of his Sikh religious practice. Dabinderjit Singh, the Federation's chief executive for political engagement, wrote to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Justice Secretary David Lammy, and Attorney General Richard Hermer, calling for a formal inquiry into institutional failures around the case. Singh stated that misinformation about the murder weapon had been 'highly damaging' to the UK Sikh community. The Federation's action followed the release of bodycam footage by Hampshire Police, shared with the permission of the Nowak family, and a march in London attended by Singh and other advocates. The letters to the three senior government officials press for accountability and seek to ensure that the Sikh kirpan is not conflated with criminal violence in public discourse and media coverage going forward. [2]

🗳️ Farhad Hossain becomes first British-Bangladeshi executive mayor of Newham

British-Bangladeshi candidates made history in the UK local government elections held on 7 May 2026, winning the top executive roles in two East London boroughs with large Bangladeshi communities. Farhad Hossain of the Labour Party was elected executive mayor of Newham Council with 25,538 votes, becoming the first British-Bangladeshi candidate from a major UK political party to win that position. He defeated Newham Independent Party candidate Kamran Malik, who received 20,234 votes, in an eight-candidate race. Green Party contender Arik Chowdhury finished third with 18,999 votes. In the neighbouring borough of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman of the Aspire Party was re-elected as mayor with 35,679 votes, defeating Labour's Sirajul Islam who received 19,454 votes. The twin victories consolidate the British-Bangladeshi community's growing political foothold in East London, with both Newham and Tower Hamlets now led by mayors of Bangladeshi heritage. [6]

🏢 UK-Bangladeshi hacker accomplice jailed over £40m London cyberattack

A British-Bangladeshi hacker's accomplice has been sentenced to prison in connection with a cyberattack on London that caused financial damage of nearly £40 million, according to reporting by The Business Standard Bangladesh. The case highlights the growing sophistication of cybercrime operations that UK authorities have been pursuing, with the London infrastructure targeted in what prosecutors described as a significant digital breach. The sentencing follows an investigation by UK law enforcement into the attack, which affected London-based systems and resulted in substantial financial losses. British-Bangladeshi community organisations have expressed concern that high-profile criminal cases involving individuals of Bangladeshi heritage can create reputational harm to a community that has worked hard to build a positive civic and commercial presence across East London and beyond. The conviction is seen as a reminder that law enforcement is actively targeting cybercrime regardless of the perpetrators' backgrounds or affiliations. [5]

Sources: [2] BBC · [6] Views Bangladesh · [5] The Business Standard