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Canada has long been viewed as a welcoming haven for immigrants, a place where people from diverse backgrounds can start fresh and thrive.

Communities from Punjab, in particular, have played a big role in shaping the country’s multicultural landscape through their hard work and cultural contributions.

However, beneath this positive image, a serious challenge has emerged: the growth of organized crime, often labeled as the “Punjabi Mafia.”

This involves extortion schemes, public shootings, and drug-related activities that are disrupting lives, especially within the Indian diaspora.

What is especially troubling is that this is not just external trouble; it is often rooted in issues carried over from India, amplified by vulnerabilities in Canada’s systems.

Drawing from discussions with journalist Amritpal Singh Brar and recent reports on the matter, here are five key insights into what is fueling this crisis.

I will break it down clearly, focusing on the facts to help readers understand and stay informed.

If you are part of the community or just curious, knowing these details can spark important conversations about solutions.

1. Imported Feuds From Bollywood Spilling Into Real-Life Violence

It is hard to believe, but celebrity rivalries from India are now triggering actual attacks in Canadian cities.

A clear example is the repeated shootings at comedian Kapil Sharma’s cafe in Vancouver.

The Lawrence Bishnoi gang has taken credit for at least one of these incidents, tying it back to Sharma’s association with actor Salman Khan.

The gang’s grudge stems from an old dispute over Khan allegedly hunting a black deer, which is sacred to the Bishnoi community.

This highlights a scary trend where local arguments from India go global, endangering businesses and people far from the original conflict.

As Brar pointed out, it is as simple as disliking someone and then targeting their friends.

For community members, this means staying vigilant and reporting suspicious activities to local authorities early to prevent escalation.

2. Student Visas Turning Into Pathways For Exploitation

Canada’s student visa program, designed to bring in talent, has unfortunately become a vulnerability.

Many young people from Punjab arrive with high hopes, but the reality hits hard.

Families often sell ancestral land to cover costs, creating immense pressure to succeed.

With tuition fees for international students being much higher and language barriers adding to the challenge, not everyone thrives academically.

The goal shifts from education to securing permanent residency, and when legal jobs fall short, some turn to shortcuts.

Gangs in India exploit this by recruiting through the visa pipeline, starting recruits on minor offenses like package theft before pulling them into heavier crimes such as extortion or trafficking.

To help, prospective students should research programs thoroughly, seek legitimate support networks, and connect with community groups for guidance on avoiding these traps.

3. Canada’s Justice System Struggling To Keep Up

One major factor is how Canada’s relatively lenient legal framework contrasts with tougher systems elsewhere, like in India.

Historically low crime rates meant Canada did not build up heavy-duty policing for organized threats.

Now, with understaffed forces, even basic reports can drag on for months, unlike the swift, deterrent-style enforcement some are used to back home, captured in phrases like “More bana denge,” implying severe consequences.

Criminals exploit this by getting quick bail even for serious charges, using ongoing legal ties to delay deportation, and staying in the country.

This creates a cycle that’s hard to break.

On a helpful note, advocating for stronger community-police partnerships and supporting policy changes could make a difference.

Reach out to local MPs to push for better resources in high-risk areas.

4. The Pain Of Internal Community Conflicts

At its core, this crime wave is tragically self-inflicted: members of the Indian community targeting their own.

Successful business owners, who proudly display their achievements through homes and cars, become visible marks for extortion.

This is not a clash with outsiders but an echo of old patterns, like the terror caused by the Dosanjh brothers and Bindy Johal in Vancouver during the 1980s and 1990s, who set the stage for today’s rackets.

Families who moved to Canada to escape such threats now face them again, from within.

Brar nailed it when he said, “A white person is not extorting an Indian. An Indian is extorting an Indian.”

To counter this, fostering open dialogues in community centers and supporting anti-extortion hotlines can build trust and encourage reporting without fear.

Beyond the headlines, everyday behaviors are showing cracks in community norms.

From ignoring public rules like firecracker bans to disruptive actions in shared spaces, there is a growing disregard that’s eroding respect.

Brar shared a poignant story of Indian students playing loud music late at night in their elderly Indian landlord’s home.

When asked to stop, they assaulted him, landing him in the hospital.

In response, the landlord, devastated by the betrayal, put up a sign reading “Dogs and Indian Students Not Allowed,” a phrase with painful colonial echoes now reused in this modern context.

It is a stark reminder of lost trust.

Helpfully, promoting cultural education programs and mentorship for newcomers can rebuild these bonds, emphasizing shared values like respect for elders.

Wrapping things up, this Punjabi gang issue in Canada stems from a mix of economic pressures, outdated policies, and lingering gang influences from India.

It is a tough spot for a community that’s given so much to the country, but awareness is the first step toward change.

By staying informed, supporting each other, and pushing for systemic fixes, there is hope for reclaiming that sense of safety and pride.

If this resonates with you, dive into more insights on our site at THOUSIF Inc. – INDIA.

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