Stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui has been given police security after receiving threats from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, a group led by a gangster currently in jail. The Mumbai Police took this step after they found out there might be a danger to Faruqui from this gang.
This development follows closely on the heels of an ongoing investigation into Bishnoi’s possible connection to the murder of Baba Siddique, a former minister.
After learning of threats from the Bishnoi gang, Mumbai Police quickly provided security to comedian Munawar Faruqui, highlighting ongoing tensions over his comedy, which some claim offends religious sentiments, an allegation Faruqui denies.
The Bishnoi gang has been in the spotlight for its alleged criminal activities that stretch across several Indian states. The gang’s operations reportedly include extortion, murder, and other serious crimes. Their notoriety increased significantly following the murder of Sidhu Moosewala, a prominent Punjabi singer, in May 2022.
Recent police actions have intensified against the gang. Over the weekend, following an attack on Siddique in Bandra (East), Mumbai, the police arrested three individuals believed to be part of the Bishnoi syndicate. This incident has put the gang’s activities under further scrutiny.
In a related crackdown, the Delhi Police captured a shooter linked to the Bishnoi gang, suspected of involvement in the killing of a gym owner in South Delhi. This arrest adds to the growing list of legal actions against the gang members.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been probing the gang’s reach and operations since August 2022, when they registered a case against Bishnoi and his associates under stringent laws aimed at curbing unlawful activities.
According to the NIA, the gang has not only expanded its criminal network within India but has also been allegedly coordinating some of its criminal plots from abroad, particularly from Canada. Moreover, some of the gang’s directives are believed to come from leaders within Indian prisons.
Faruqui’s situation brings to light the broader issue of security for public figures in India, particularly those who engage in work that might be deemed provocative or controversial.
The police’s decision to provide security to Faruqui highlights the perceived severity of the threat from organized crime groups like the Bishnoi gang, which seems to target individuals who, in one way or another, find themselves at odds with certain societal or political factions.
This series of events paints a troubling picture of the intersection between crime, entertainment, and politics in India, where personal safety can become a public concern.
The police continue to investigate the motives behind the threats to Faruqui, hoping to dismantle the operations of gangs like Bishnoi’s, which continue to pose significant challenges to law enforcement with their wide-reaching and violent criminal enterprises.
