Why Canada has listed Bishnoi gang as terror entity in Canada: ‘Targets specific communities’
Lawrence Bishnoi and his gang are named in major cases in India, too, such as killings of singer Sidhu Moosewala and Mumbai politician Baba Siddiqui
The government of Canada has listed as “terror entity” the Bishnoi Gang, allegedly operated by gangster Lawrence Bishnoi who is in jail in India. While Delhi has for long sought a handle on terror groups targeting India, the Liberal government in Ottawa has acted saying also that this gang “targets specific communities”, such as the diaspora, within Canada.
The listing on Sunday, September 29, comes after reports over several months that the Bishnoi gang targeted pro-Khalistan elements, including Sikh Canadian citizens, inside Canada over the past few years.
PM Narendra Modi's government rubbishes reports that it indirectly uses this gang to target anti-India Sikh extremists in particular.
Canada's assertions on this count even led to a freeze in relations. Delhi has been urging Ottawa to act against Khalistani terror elements and organised criminals based in Canada.
Bishnoi Gang's terror listing happened to come on a day when India's foreign minister S Jaishankar met his Canadian counterpart Anita Anand in New York, but it was not clear if they discussed this in particular. Jaishankar posted on X that he was happy about recent appointment of high commissioners “as we rebuild ties”.
Where is Lawrence, what's his recent history?
Lawrence Bishnoi, a former student leader from Chandigarh and Punjab, and his gang are named in major cases in India, too, such as the killing of singer Sidhu Moosewala and Mumbai politician Baba Siddiqui.
Currently lodged in the Sabarmati Central Jail in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, he has also issued threats to actor Salman Khan. He was at one point seen wearing t-shirts with photos of slain Sikh separatist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
In more recent interviews from inside jail, he has pitched himself a Hindu nationalist. He has been in Tihar Jail in Delhi, and prisons in Punjab, over multiple cases.
Other prominent, at-large members of his gang include his younger brother Anmol Bishnoi, Goldy Brar and Rohit Godara, though there have been reports the latter two have broken away in more recent times.
Canada: Transnational gang operates from India
“The Bishnoi Gang is a transnational criminal organization operating primarily out of India. They have a presence in Canada and are active in areas with significant diaspora communities,” the Canadian government's press release on the listing read.
Gary Anandasangaree, Canada's minister of public safety, said, "Every person in Canada has the right to feel safe in their home and community and as a government it is our fundamental responsibility to protect them. Specific communities have been targeted for terror, violence and intimidation by the Bishnoi Gang. Listing this group of criminal terrorists gives us more powerful and effective tools to confront and put a stop to their crimes.”
Cites climate of insecurity among diaspora
The listing info added, “The Bishnoi Gang engages in murder, shootings and arson, and generates terror through extortion and intimidation. They create a climate of insecurity in [diaspora] communities by targeting them, their prominent community members, businesses, and cultural figures.”
The killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, outside a gurdwara in June 2023 had put the Bishnoi gang at the centre of critical conversations in Canada.
In 2024, the Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility for firing outside the homes of Punjabi singers AP Dhillon and Gippy Grewal in Canada.
Canadian Conservatives, as well as sections across the political spectrum backed also by the significant Sikh diaspora, have called for action against the Bishnoi gang.
Nijjar's killing even led to a bitter diplomatic duel as the then Canadian PM Justin Trudeau alleged that Indian intelligence used “criminal organisations like the Lawrence Bishnoi gang" to carry out violence "against Canadians on the ground”. But Delhi rejected these allegations, underlining its many extradition requests for Bishnoi gang members pending with Canada.
What a terror listing means
With the addition of this organisation, there are now 88 terrorist entities listed under the Criminal Code in Canada.
“A terrorist listing means anything owned by that group in Canada, property, vehicles, money can be frozen or seized and gives Canadian law enforcement more tools to prosecute terrorist offences, including those related to financing, travel and recruitment,” information released by the Canadian ministry said.
It added: “The Criminal Code listing can also be used by immigration and border officials to inform decisions on admissibility to Canada.”
