The Lawrence Bishnoi gang, previously designated as a terrorist entity by the Canadian government in September, is making efforts to alter its image within Canada’s South Asian community. The gang, known for using social media to claim or disavow involvement in shootings and issue threats, now seems focused on enhancing its public perception.
This rebranding move coincides with a surge of extortion-related incidents affecting South Asian communities, particularly in British Columbia and Ontario. Recently, a café owned by Indian comedian Kapil Sharma in Surrey, B.C., was targeted for the third time, with gunmen firing shots into the premises while staff were present, but fortunately, no injuries were reported.
The gang has disavowed involvement in attacks on innocent individuals, attributing some incidents to non-members exploiting the gang’s reputation for their actions. They have indicated a focus on targeting employers mistreating female employees or exploiting foreign workers and students.
In a recent development, a gang member named Fateh Portugal claimed responsibility for multiple shootings in Surrey, including properties owned by the Dhesi family, a prominent Indo-Canadian family. Videos of the shootings were circulated online, showing armed individuals carrying out the attacks.
The Bishnois’ attempts to justify their actions as targeting wrongdoers in the community have garnered mixed reactions. While some perceive them as vigilantes seeking justice, others express concerns that the gang may eventually target ordinary individuals.
Numerous associates linked to the Bishnoi gang have faced legal repercussions in Canada, including the involvement in the political assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in 2023. The gang’s actions, including shootings and threats, have raised alarms within the affected communities and drawn scrutiny from law enforcement agencies.