Ottawa labels Bishnoi gang a terrorist group following Conservative push

The federal government formally designated the Bishnoi Gang a terrorist entity under Canada’s Criminal Code after facing pressure to do so from the Conservatives and advocacy groups.

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The federal government formally designated the Bishnoi Gang a terrorist entity under Canada’s Criminal Code after facing pressure to do so from the Conservatives and advocacy groups.

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree announced the listing on Monday, stating that the gang’s operations have created a “climate of fear and intimidation” through extortion, shootings, and attacks aimed at individuals, businesses, and cultural figures.

The Bishnoi gang, a transnational criminal organization based primarily in India, is active in parts of Canada with significant South Asian communities.

According to the government, the gang has been involved in murder, arson and publicly targeting high-profile community members.

The designation gives Canadian authorities new tools to investigate and disrupt the group’s activities. Assets held by the Bishnoi gang in Canada can now be seized or frozen.

It is a criminal offence to knowingly provide property or financial support to the group, directly or indirectly. The listing also provides grounds for immigration and border enforcement action under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

The gang is now among 88 groups listed as terrorist entities under Canadian law.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre was asked Monday morning during a press conference in Ottawa if he felt the designation went far enough and whether it would affect Canada’s relations with India.

Poilievre described the government’s move as a “long overdue decision,” claiming that “Conservatives have long been calling for the Bishnoi Gang to be banned. This gang has been responsible for much of the extortion that has terrorized Surrey, Brampton, and North East Calgary.”

He also pointed to national trends in criminal activity, saying, “Canadians have seen a 330 per cent increase in extortions,” which he attributed to foreign criminal elements entering the country.

Poilievre criticized the current public safety minister, claiming the government has “lost track of 600 foreign criminals” currently in Canada.

Conservative MP Tim Uppal, who has raised the issue of Bishnoi-related violence during previous sessions of Parliament, also addressed the matter in an interview with True North during the opening week of the fall session.

“We’ve called on the government to list the Bishnoi Gang as a terrorist organization, which will give the police more tools to ensure they’re arresting those involved in extortion across the country,” Uppal said.

“The gang themselves have very brazenly taken credit for a number of those extortion calls.”

Uppal said it was “unfortunate” the government had been slow to act, adding that his private member’s bill from last year, which included mandatory minimum sentences for extortion, was voted down by the Liberals.

“We’re again calling for tougher parole, tougher bail conditions, stronger sentences on extortion and other violent crime in Canada,” he said.

Asked if the Liberal government’s delay could be related to foreign relations, Uppal pointed to concerns about foreign interference, saying, “The RCMP has said that agents of the government of India have been connected with the Bishnoi Gang.”

The MP said he hopes cross-partisan support will now help ensure police have the tools to protect Canadians: “We’ve had premiers and mayors across the country call for this. It’s something that should be done as soon as possible.”

No arrests or charges related to the new listing have been publicly announced.