WEBDESK: The Canadian Premier of British Columbia, David Eby, has officially called on the Canadian government to declare the Bishnoi gang a notorious India based criminal group as a terrorist organisation. The appeal comes amid a surge of extortion threats targeting South Asian, particularly Sikh, communities across Canada.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, shared publicly on Eby’s official X (formely known as twitter) account, the Canadian Premier urged Ottawa to take immediate action. He described the situation as deeply concerning for the safety and security of affected communities.
He announced that he has formally asked Prime Minister Mark Carney to take decisive action by designating groups involved in extortion and related crimes as terrorist entities under Canada’s Criminal Code. Canadian Premier Eby stressed the need to protect communities from organised criminal networks operating across borders.
The Bishnoi gang, widely known for its violent activities in India, is now believed to be operating across international borders. The group has been linked to a recent wave of threatening calls and intimidation tactics aimed at South Asian-owned businesses in Canada, demanding protection money.
This development has once again put a spotlight on India’s growing problem of violent extremist groups operating under the cover of state backed nationalism. Critics argue that while India labels innocent Kashmiris and political dissenters as ‘terrorists’ to justify harsh crackdowns, criminal syndicates like the Bishnoi gang are allowed to thrive, reportedly with ties to Hindu extremist networks and right-wing groups close to India’s ruling party.
Human rights observers and diaspora organisations have warned that these are not isolated criminal incidents but part of a wider network of transnational organised crime linked to extremist elements within India’s current government setup.
Analysts say that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has increasingly been accused of turning a blind eye to such groups, enabling them to spread intimidation and violence both within India and abroad.
Campaigners have called on Canada and other Western countries to not only designate such gangs as terrorist entities but also confront the broader role of India’s political establishment in fostering these groups.
As David Eby stated in his letter, the safety of communities in Canada must be a priority, and the federal government needs to act swiftly against the threats posed by international criminal networks.
