Canada Designates Bishnoi Gang as Terrorist Entity, Moves Seen as Turning Point in Indo-Canadian Security Relations

OTTAWA — The Canadian government has officially listed the Bishnoi Gang as a terrorist entity under its Criminal Code, a decision announced on Monday by Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree. In a public statement, he affirmed that “violence, terror, and the intimidation of communities will never be tolerated in Canada.” 

As of now, the Bishnoi Gang — a transnational criminal organisation largely operating out of India but with a presence in Canada — meets the legal definition of a terrorist group under Canadian law. This designation allows Canadian authorities to freeze or seize the gang’s assets, prosecute individuals who trade with or finance them, and bar entry or remove from Canada those associated with the group under immigration provisions. 

A Gang with Global Footprints

Canada’s move follows mounting concerns over the Bishnoi Gang’s operations targeting diaspora communities in Canada. Public Safety Canada’s press release particularly emphasized that the gang uses murder, shootings, arson, extortion and intimidation to create a “climate of fear” among specific communities. 

Already under international scrutiny, the gang’s leader, Lawrence Bishnoi, is implicated in criminal networks spanning multiple Indian states and abroad. His operations have been linked to violent crimes, organized extortion rings, and cross-border criminal coordination. 

Moreover, Canada’s designation echoes earlier calls from Canadian provincial leaders. The Premier of British Columbia, David Eby, had publicly urged the federal government to classify the Bishnoi Gang as a terrorist entity. He cited rising extortion threats within South Asian communities in provinces such as British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario — a growing concern among families and businesses of Indian origin. 

Diplomatic and Security Implications

This development arrives amid ongoing tensions in Canada–India relations, notably over the 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist activist in British Columbia. Canadian security agencies have alleged connections between Indian government agents and criminal networks including the Bishnoi Gang, raising serious concerns about foreign interference on Canadian soil.

By formally labelling the Bishnoi Gang as a terrorist entity, Canada has expanded its legal and operational toolkit to counter transnational criminal and terror-linked activities. The designation empowers the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), immigration authorities, and intelligence agencies to act decisively. 

Indian authorities have yet to publicly respond to Monday’s announcement. As this new status triggers cross-border law enforcement coordination, it may accelerate extradition efforts, asset tracing, and criminal case developments in India, particularly for those linked to the Bishnoi network. The move is widely viewed as a significant shift in the way Canada addresses organized crime with terrorist links — one that may reshape security and diplomatic dynamics in the Indo-Canadian context.