Canada has taken a decisive step in its ongoing battle against organized crime by officially designating India’s Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity, a move that grants law enforcement agencies sweeping new powers to disrupt the group’s activities. The decision, announced on September 30, 2025, comes after mounting political pressure and amid efforts to mend fraught diplomatic ties with India. For many, this marks a turning point in how the country confronts transnational criminal organizations operating within its borders.
Public Safety Canada, in its statement, described the Bishnoi gang as a transnational criminal organization with deep roots in the Indian states of Punjab and Haryana but an expanding footprint in Canadian cities with significant Indian diaspora populations. According to the department, the gang is engaged in a litany of violent crimes—"murder, shootings, and arson"—and is notorious for generating terror through extortion and intimidation. The group’s activities, officials say, have created a climate of fear and insecurity, especially by targeting prominent community members, businesses, and cultural figures.
"Specific communities have been targeted for terror, violence and intimidation by the Bishnoi gang," Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said in a statement quoted by the BBC. "Listing this group of criminal terrorists gives us more powerful and effective tools to confront and put a stop to their crimes." Under the new designation, Canadians are prohibited from providing financial or material support to the gang. Authorities can now freeze assets, seize property, and lay criminal charges against affiliates under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The move also empowers law enforcement to pursue offences related to terrorist financing, recruitment, and travel.
The gang is allegedly led by Lawrence Bishnoi, a 32-year-old who has been imprisoned in India since 2014, and his key lieutenant Goldy Brar, who fled India for Canada on a study permit in 2017. Despite Bishnoi’s incarceration, Indian investigators allege he continues to orchestrate a sprawling network of more than 700 members involved in extortion, drug and weapons smuggling, and targeted killings. Goldy Brar, now considered the gang’s public face, has become a central figure in the group’s North American operations.
The Bishnoi gang’s notoriety is not limited to its criminal enterprises. It has been accused of carrying out the high-profile killings of Punjabi rapper Sidhu Moose Wala and Mumbai politician Baba Siddique, as well as sending death threats to Bollywood star Salman Khan. India’s National Investigation Agency has previously described the group as a major criminal syndicate, linking some of its operations to the Khalistan movement—a separatist campaign seeking an independent Sikh state in northern India. The movement enjoys significant support among Canada’s Indian diaspora, adding a complicated political layer to the gang’s influence.
Last year, Canadian police alleged that Indian government agents had used Bishnoi gang members to target supporters of the Khalistan movement with violence and extortion. India, however, firmly denied these claims, stating that Canada had not provided any evidence to support the allegations. The controversy further strained the already tense relationship between the two countries.
The decision to list the Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity did not emerge in a vacuum. It followed sustained calls from opposition lawmakers and provincial premiers, particularly in Alberta and British Columbia, for Ottawa to take stronger action. British Columbia Premier David Eby had previously urged Prime Minister Mark Carney to make the designation, citing what he called "state-sponsored terror on our soil." Eby noted, "BC was the first to call on Ottawa to list them as a terrorist entity back in June. This move gives authorities powers to freeze and seize the gang’s assets and keep our streets safe."
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre was also quick to welcome the government’s move, highlighting the gang’s responsibility for much of the extortion that has "terrorized Surrey, Brampton, northeast Calgary." The World Sikh Organization of Canada echoed these sentiments, issuing a statement that called the decision "an important first step." For many in affected communities, the announcement brought a measure of relief, though some cautioned that much work remains to be done to fully eradicate the gang’s influence.
The timing of Canada’s action is particularly notable, as it comes during a delicate period in its relationship with India. Diplomatic ties between the two countries had nearly collapsed following the 2023 killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. Then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly accused the Indian government of involvement in the murder, an allegation New Delhi vehemently denied. Nijjar, who had been designated a terrorist by India in 2020, was shot dead outside a Sikh temple near Vancouver, and four men have since been charged in connection with his death.
Despite this turbulent history, recent months have seen tentative steps toward rapprochement. Both countries have appointed new high commissioners, signaling a desire to move past the diplomatic freeze. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s national security adviser, Nathalie Drouin, reported "productive" talks with Indian officials in late September 2025. According to Drouin, Indian representatives pledged cooperation on security matters and a commitment to avoid transnational repression—an encouraging sign for those hoping to see more effective collaboration against cross-border criminal organizations.
The broader context of the Bishnoi gang’s rise and Canada’s response underscores the challenges of policing transnational crime in an era of global migration and diaspora communities. The gang’s ability to operate across continents, leveraging networks in both India and Canada, has complicated efforts to bring its leaders to justice. The Indian government has repeatedly demanded the arrest and extradition of certain members, citing the gang’s links to the Khalistan movement and its role in smuggling weapons and orchestrating assassinations.
For Canadian authorities, the new designation provides a much-needed arsenal of legal tools, but it also raises questions about how best to balance national security with the rights and concerns of diaspora communities. Some advocates have warned against stigmatizing entire communities based on the actions of a criminal minority, while others argue that a robust response is necessary to protect vulnerable residents and uphold the rule of law.
As the dust settles from this week’s announcement, it is clear that Canada’s decision to list the Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity marks a significant escalation in its fight against organized crime. Whether this move will lead to lasting change or simply push the gang further underground remains to be seen. But for now, communities across the country are watching closely, hopeful that this new chapter brings greater safety and security to their streets.
