Why are criminals called 'Mafia', 'Gangster' or Don? Know difference

Mukhtar Ansari

Gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari died on Thursday, aged 60. He suffered a heart attack and breathed his last at the Banda Medical College in Uttar Pradesh. He is called as gangster. But do you know how criminals are called Mafia, Gangster, or Don?

Why are criminals called 'Mafia'?

Mafia means those who commit crimes by forming an organization. Those who make complete plans and carry out crimes.The operators of organized gangs who get their say done on the basis of murder, extortion, intimidation and weapons are given the label of mafia.

What Mafia called in different countries?

Actually this is an Italian word and it was first used in Italy. The leader among the criminals was called mafia. Yakuza and in China it is called Triad. In Russia it is called Bratwurst, in Mexico and Nigeria Mafia is called FY Gang, in South America it is called Drug Cartel and in African countries it is called Gang, The Yardi or Trident.

Who is 'Don'?

The word Don is also Italian, and means boss or head. Synonyms for don include Capo Crimini. Sargana is a Persian word which means chief, but this word has now become a stereotype for criminal activities. Mostly it has started being used in a negative sense like the leader of thieves or the leader of dacoits.

Gangster

Actually, there is no special difference between gangster and mafia. All the work of a gangster is almost like that of the mafia. It is not easy to declare any criminal a gangster. There is a complete process which is completed in several steps.

Strict action

To curb organized criminals, the government enacted the Gangster Act in 1986. Under this Act, complete details of such organized criminals are collected. After this, after a long process, this Act is imposed on them and they are put in jail.