Ranj Dhaliwal

Ranj Dhaliwal
Born Ranjit Singh Dhaliwal
(1976-07-14) July 14, 1976
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Occupation Writer
Nationality Canadian
Period 2006–present
Genre Crime fiction
Website
www.ranjdhaliwal.com

Ranj Dhaliwal (born July 14, 1976) is a Canadian author.

Early life

Born in Vancouver, Dhaliwal grew up in Surrey Central, British Columbia in the 1980s, which was a time when Indo-Canadian families were scattered across the suburbs. Unfortunately this was a time when minorities were subjected to discrimination and racism, which Dhaliwal faced firsthand.

During his youth, Dhaliwal grew up with kids that at the early age of 13 were packing guns, stealing cars, getting into fights, making alliances, and selling drugs at school with police always close by watching the beginning of the Indo-Canadian gang culture rise.[1][2]

Personal life

Ranj Dhaliwal is a Sikh. He and his wife live in Surrey, British Columbia and have three sons.[3] [4][5]

Writing career

In 2006, Dhaliwal's first novel Daaku was published. The release of Dhaliwal's novel was the subject of controversy in the South Asian community for breaking the code of silence in the Indo-Canadian community, though not based on a true story.[6]

In 2011, Dhaliwal's second novel Daaku: The Gangster's Life was published.[5][7]

Ranj Dhaliwal is currently working on his third novel Gangland, which is predicted to be released in 2016. A fourth novel Gang Related is also in the works and set to be released in coming years. [4]

Community and politics

Dhaliwal was praised as an important community leader by the Walrus magazine in his bid to gain control of a controversial Sikh temple in Surrey, BC that was involved in a violent and bloody clash between fundamentalists and moderates over edicts from the head priest of Sikhs. Dhaliwal was elected in and became the Vice-President elect of the temple in 2008. He then resigned to focus his attention on at-risk youth while a litigious battle ensued in the courts over his slate's election.[8][9]

Dhaliwal continues to be involved in politics in Surrey and coordinates youth programs. Because of his active involvement in the community, Ranj has been called upon to mediate local disputes and conflicts.[5] His involvement in politics isn't just locally, as Dhaliwal brings Sikh leaders from India to tour Canadian Sikh temples.[3]

Dhaliwal has worked with aboriginal and environmental law organizations for many years, and volunteers with several organizations aimed at helping at-risk youths.[1][5] Dhaliwal speaks on organized crime at high schools and universities, and alongside police officers in an effort to educate youth about the dangers of the gangster lifestyle.[3][10]

Bibliography

Order of Release Title Year Page Count Notes
1. Daaku 2006 312 Print ISBN 9781554200276, ebook ISBN 9780987811905
2. The Gangster's Life 2011 288 Print ISBN 9781554200597

References

  1. 1 2 Hanson, Cheri. "Gangs Of B.C.". Quill & Quire. St. Joseph Media. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
  2. ↑ "Well-Known Gangster Believed To Be Victim In Fatal Shooting". News 1130. Rogers Communications. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 Reynolds, Sheila. "Is There Life Outside The Underworld?". SurreyLeader. BlackPress. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
  4. 1 2 "DAAKU DELIGHT : Ranj Dhaliwal promises sequel to saga – but not just yet". DesiToday. DesiToday. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Ranj Dhaliwal on Indo-Canadian gangs: Canada's stories". 2014-06-29. Retrieved 2016-09-21.
  6. ↑ "New Book On Indo-Canadian Gangs Stirs Controversy". CBCNews. CBC. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
  7. ↑ "Dhaliwal, Ranj". ABC Bookworld. BC Bookworld. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
  8. ↑ "Writer Quits Gurdwara Body In Surrey, BC". South Asia Post. 28 February 2009. Retrieved 27 August 2009.
  9. ↑ Taylor, Timothy. "Showdown On Scott Road". Walrus Magazine. The Walrus Foundation. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
  10. ↑ Johnston, Jesse. "Don't Put Gangsters' Faces On Wanted Posters: Crime Expert". News1130. Rogers Communications. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
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