The Bishnoi Gang has been classified as a terrorist organization by the Canadian government, according to Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree’s announcement on Monday. Anandasangaree stated that specific communities have been the victims of terror, violence, and intimidation orchestrated by the Bishnoi Gang. By designating this group as criminal terrorists, the government gains more effective tools to combat and halt their illegal activities.
When a group is labeled as a terrorist entity in Canada, it grants authorities the ability to freeze or confiscate assets, vehicles, and funds, in addition to providing law enforcement with enhanced capabilities to prosecute terrorist-related crimes. The Bishnoi Gang, originating from Punjab and Haryana in northern India, has expanded its operations into North America in recent years, despite its founder Lawrence Bishnoi being incarcerated in India since 2014.
The gang’s violent activities are rooted partly in traditional codes of honor and vendetta, but primarily driven by contemporary motives of business and politics. Drug trafficking and extortion are described by Indian media as the gang’s primary sources of income, both domestically and internationally. Public Safety Canada confirmed that the Bishnoi Gang is a transnational criminal group actively operating in regions of Canada with significant diaspora populations, engaging in murder, shootings, arson, extortion, and intimidation to instill fear within communities.
The designation of the Bishnoi Gang as a terrorist entity also enables immigration officials to refuse entry to individuals associated with the gang under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The high-profile murder of Punjabi rapper Sidhu Moose Wala in 2022, threats against Bollywood star Salman Khan, and the killing of politician Baba Siddique in Mumbai have been attributed to the Bishnoi Gang. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has alleged that the gang targeted members of the pro-Khalistan movement in Canada, purportedly at the behest of the Indian government.
Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau implicated Indian officials in sharing information with criminal organizations like the Lawrence Bishnoi Gang, resulting in violence against Canadians. Indian authorities have dismissed these claims, accusing Canada of harboring violent individuals linked to the Khalistan movement. Various political figures, including Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, have urged the government to declare the gang a terrorist organization, with Poilievre welcoming the decision as long overdue.
The World Sikh Organization (WSO) of Canada and the Sikh Federation have expressed support for the government’s decision, with calls to hold accountable the alleged Indian officials behind the gang’s operations. The Sikh Federation believes that simply designating the Bishnoi Gang as a terrorist entity is insufficient and demands action against government officials orchestrating violence in Canada.