OTTAWA - Politicians across Canada are urging the federal government to classify the Bishnoi gang, linked to India, as a terrorist organization. The Conservative Party plans to raise this issue when Parliament reconvenes this month.

The Bishnoi gang is led by Lawrence Bishnoi, who has been incarcerated in India for nearly ten years due to his involvement in gang violence. In 2023, India's National Investigation Agency reported that Bishnoi, now 32, continues to manage his operations from prison, utilizing an associate in Canada. Reports indicate that he transferred significant sums of money from India to Canada and Thailand between 2019 and 2021, although these claims remain unverified. Wesley Wark, a senior fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation, noted, "He rocketed to international fame as a criminal in quite a short period of time."

Indian journalist Ritesh Lakhi described Bishnoi's early involvement in street fights and arson during his student years, suggesting he may have associated with notorious gang members while in prison. Bishnoi has gained notoriety for threatening prominent Indian figures, including celebrities and politicians. He was implicated in the 2022 murder of Punjabi rapper Sidhu Moose Wala, who had spent time in Canada.

The gang's connection to the Indian government is contentious. While India maintains that Bishnoi has been prosecuted for his crimes, he is accused of orchestrating extortion from prison using a cellphone. Lakhi suggested this raises questions about possible protection from the Indian state. Wark added that the gang is believed to have been used as a proxy by the Indian government for transnational repression.

In Canada, the Bishnoi gang has been linked to extortion cases targeting affluent members of the South Asian community. In December 2023, police in Abbotsford, British Columbia, reported investigations into these activities, with similar claims made by law enforcement in Ontario and Alberta. The gang gained national attention during the Thanksgiving weekend of the previous year when the RCMP accused it of committing violent acts against Sikh activists in Canada. The RCMP alleged that Indian diplomats provided information about Khalistan supporters in Canada to the Bishnoi gang, which allegedly led to violence against Canadian citizens.

RCMP Assistant Commissioner Brigitte Gauvin stated, "What we've seen, from an RCMP perspective, is the use of organized-crime elements — and it's been publicly attributed and claimed by one organized crime group in particular, which is the Bishnoi group. We believe that group is connected to agents of the government of India."

India quickly dismissed these allegations. Foreign ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal expressed confusion over the RCMP's claims, stating, "We find it really strange that now the people who we asked to be deported — on whom we ask that action be taken … the RCMP is blaming the Indian side that these people are committing crimes in Canada."

Calls for the Bishnoi gang to be designated as a terrorist group have come from various political leaders. British Columbia Premier David Eby and Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke made their appeals in June, followed by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith in July. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre also called for the designation in August, arguing it would assist law enforcement in dismantling an international extortion network.

The government has not confirmed whether it will add the Bishnoi gang to its terrorism list. Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree's office stated that the decision rests with public servants who use objective criteria to evaluate organizations. Spokeswoman Noémie Allard noted that there are explicit criteria for such listings, emphasizing that the process is ongoing.

Political scientist Jonathan Malloy from Carleton University highlighted the complexities of Canadian political parties' relationships with India, as they seek to balance support from both Sikh and Hindu voters. He noted that the Conservatives are framing the issue as a security concern, which aligns with their focus on law and order.

A designation as a terrorist group would have significant implications. Public Safety Canada indicated that the Criminal Code prohibits various actions related to listed terrorist organizations, including financing and recruitment. A designated group could face asset seizures and restrictions on financial transactions.

Wark expressed skepticism about the practical impact of a terrorist designation, suggesting it serves more as a political statement than a functional solution. He argued that effective law enforcement and intelligence gathering are crucial for addressing the activities of such groups, rather than merely listing them as terrorist entities.