The recent assassination of a prominent Indian politician, Baba Siddique, by the notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, has sent shockwaves across the country. This incident, tied to a personal vendetta against Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, has further deepened concerns about the nexus between gangsters, politicians, and the government. It has also sparked international controversy, with allegations surfacing that the Indian government might be involved in facilitating criminal activities, particularly concerning Canada. The complex web of crime, politics, and international relations surrounding this case is a sobering reminder of the deep-rooted issues in India’s criminal justice system and its influence on global affairs.
The Assassination: What Happened?
On a seemingly normal day, 67-year-old NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) leader Baba Siddique was gunned down outside his son’s office in Mumbai’s Bandra area. Three attackers ambushed him, firing multiple shots and leaving him dead. The shocking murder was quickly claimed by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, a notorious criminal network with roots in Punjab. Despite being incarcerated since 2014, Lawrence Bishnoi’s influence extends beyond prison walls, commanding a sprawling network of organized crime that includes professional shooters and extortionists operating across multiple countries.
The murder of Baba Siddique, a prominent politician with deep ties to Bollywood and influential circles, was not just an isolated act of violence but part of a larger scheme. His murder has become a chilling message to one of India’s most beloved actors, Salman Khan, with whom Siddique shared a long-standing friendship.
Who is Lawrence Bishnoi?
At the center of this terrifying incident is Lawrence Bishnoi, a 31-year-old gangster who hails from Punjab and currently resides in Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati Central Jail. Bishnoi is not an ordinary criminal; he runs a massive gang that allegedly consists of over 700 shooters. Despite being imprisoned for years, Bishnoi’s gang continues to operate with impunity, executing murders and extorting high-profile figures, particularly in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.
Bishnoi’s notoriety reached new heights when his name was linked to the murder of popular Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala. Even though Bishnoi was in prison, his gang was implicated in the planning and execution of Moosewala’s murder. The audacity with which Bishnoi’s gang operates while its leader is incarcerated raises serious questions about the efficiency of India’s prison system and the inability to curb organized crime from within.
The Connection Between Salman Khan and Lawrence Bishnoi
The assassination of Baba Siddique is directly tied to Salman Khan, one of Bollywood’s most iconic actors. Khan and Siddique have been close friends for over two decades, and the connection between the two is well-known in political and film industry circles. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang’s rationale for murdering Siddique is rooted in its long-standing vendetta against Salman Khan.
This vendetta dates back to 1998, when Salman Khan was convicted for poaching two blackbucks during the shooting of the film Hum Saath Saath Hain. The blackbuck is a protected species in India and holds significant religious importance for the Bishnoi community, which considers the animal sacred. Lawrence Bishnoi, a member of the Bishnoi community, vowed to seek revenge against Khan for killing the blackbucks.
Despite Khan serving jail time and paying fines for the offense, the matter is far from over for Bishnoi and his followers. The gang’s attack on Baba Siddique is seen as an indirect assault on Salman Khan. In a Facebook post from one of Bishnoi’s alleged aides, it was made clear that anyone who supports Salman Khan or associates with him, such as Siddique, would face the gang’s wrath. “We have no personal enmity with anyone. However, anyone who helps Salman Khan or the Dawood gang should be prepared,” the post read, solidifying the notion that the murder was part of a larger vendetta against the actor.
Allegations of Indian Government Involvement
While the assassination of Baba Siddique is disturbing on its own, the situation has escalated to an international level due to allegations from the Canadian government. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has accused “agents” of the Indian government of collaborating with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. These accusations suggest that Indian authorities may be facilitating criminal activities on Canadian soil, further straining relations between the two nations.
This accusation comes amid already tense relations between India and Canada. The Indian government recently withdrew its High Commissioner and other diplomats from Canada after expelling six Canadian diplomats from India. This diplomatic fallout was sparked by Canada’s allegations that Indian officials were involved in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian Sikh activist. In the context of these already deteriorating relations, the claim that the Indian government might be colluding with an organized crime syndicate to spread terror internationally has only worsened the diplomatic rift.
Although the Indian government has strongly denied these accusations, the allegations have created a cloud of suspicion. If proven true, this would not only be a major scandal for India’s political and diplomatic standing but also a dire indicator of the depth of corruption and criminal collusion in the country.
How Do Gangsters Operate From Jail?
The ease with which Lawrence Bishnoi has been able to orchestrate high-profile murders and run a vast criminal network from behind bars reflects a broader problem in India’s criminal justice system. Gangsters in Indian prisons often find ways to continue their illegal activities, despite being physically confined. Bishnoi’s case is just one of many where gangsters have been able to communicate with their outside networks, extort individuals, and even order killings while technically being under the control of the state.
The question arises: how does a criminal in a high-security prison manage to pull off such activities? Corruption within the prison system is one possible answer. In many cases, jail staff are either complicit or powerless to stop these gangsters from continuing their operations. Mobile phones, internet access, and other means of communication are often smuggled into prisons, allowing inmates to stay in touch with their networks and give orders. In Lawrence Bishnoi’s case, despite his prolonged incarceration, his gang continues to grow and expand its influence, suggesting that the authorities have either been turning a blind eye or are unable to control the flow of illicit communication into jails.
The Rise of Organized Crime and Political Nexus
Bishnoi’s case has shed light on the dangerous nexus between organized crime, politics, and governance in India. His gang has not only terrorized citizens through extortion and murder but also appears to be playing a significant role in political affairs. Baba Siddique’s assassination is one example where a gang’s violent act has intersected with political rivalries and vendettas.
The connection between political power and organized crime is not new in India. For decades, politicians have been accused of nurturing relationships with criminal syndicates to maintain power or suppress rivals. These criminals, in turn, provide “muscle” and financial backing during elections, creating a system of mutual dependency. Bishnoi’s influence on political dynamics, particularly in northern India, is an example of how deeply embedded organized crime has become in the political system.
The Implications of the Baba Siddique Assassination
The assassination of Baba Siddique and the subsequent allegations against the Indian government have serious implications, both for India’s internal stability and its international relations. Domestically, the case has drawn attention to the alarming influence that gangsters like Lawrence Bishnoi wield, even from within prison walls. It has also raised questions about the role of law enforcement and prison authorities in enabling these criminals to operate with near impunity.
Internationally, the allegations that India’s government may be working with organized crime syndicates to target individuals in foreign countries have exacerbated tensions with Canada and could have a lasting impact on India’s diplomatic standing. If these allegations are substantiated, it could lead to a significant diplomatic fallout, affecting not only India-Canada relations but also India’s reputation in the global community.
Conclusion
The murder of Baba Siddique by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang is a stark reminder of the complex and often dangerous intersections between organized crime, politics, and governance in India. The case not only highlights the disturbing ease with which gangsters can operate from prison but also raises serious concerns about the influence of criminal syndicates on political and international affairs. With accusations of government involvement in these criminal activities further straining diplomatic relations with Canada, the Baba Siddique assassination is more than just a tragic political killing — it is a symbol of the deeper, systemic issues plaguing India’s justice system and political landscape. The case serves as a warning that without significant reform, both in terms of curbing organized crime and addressing corruption within the criminal justice system, such incidents will continue to pose serious threats to India’s internal and external stability.