Leading e-commerce platforms Flipkart and Meesho have come under heavy scrutiny for selling T-shirts emblazoned with the image of notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, including designs labeled with phrases like “Gangster” and “Real Hero.” The T-shirts, some of which were marketed for children, sparked outrage on social media and were condemned as part of an alarming trend that journalist Alishan Jafri described as a sign of “India’s online radicalisation.”
The controversy erupted after Jafri, a well-known journalist, shared screenshots of these T-shirts on X (formerly Twitter), calling attention to the growing market for gang-related merchandise on online platforms. “People are literally selling gangster merchandise on platforms like Meesho and Teeshopper. This is just one example of India’s latest online radicalisation,” Jafri wrote, further noting that “at a time when the police and NIA are struggling to stop youths from joining gang crime, social media influencers are making quick money by promoting gang content and glorifying gangsters.”
The products listed on Meesho were priced as low as Rs 168, making them accessible to a wide audience. Jafri’s post highlighted how these items contributed to the normalization of gang culture, particularly among impressionable youth.
Following the backlash, Meesho quickly removed the Lawrence Bishnoi T-shirts from its platform. “We have taken immediate action to deactivate the products. Meesho remains committed to providing a safe and trusted shopping platform for all our users,” a spokesperson for Meesho said. However, searches for similar merchandise on other major platforms revealed that Flipkart still had listings for T-shirts featuring Bishnoi, available at a discounted price of Rs 249.
The T-shirts depict Bishnoi wearing an orange T-shirt and black hoodie, with bold text reading “The Gangster” or “Real Hero,” sparking criticism across social media. Many users condemned the platforms for profiting from the gangster’s image, with some calling for stronger regulation of online content. “Shame on Meesho and similar websites. Shame!” one user wrote, while another commented, “A kid also wearing his T-shirt. So wrong.”
Lawrence Bishnoi, who is currently in jail and faces over 70 criminal cases in Punjab, has gained a public profile through his gang’s high-profile threats and alleged involvement in crimes, including the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala. Bishnoi’s gang has also claimed responsibility for other violent incidents and issued threats to public figures, including actor Salman Khan.
The incident has ignited a debate over the role of e-commerce in fueling youth fascination with gang culture, prompting calls for stricter oversight on platforms to curb the sale of potentially harmful or radicalizing merchandise.
