So the word goonda as used by Indians to mean thug just happens to sound the same?
I think so, Bean.

Just found this at:
http://www.indian-express.com/ie/daily/20010211/ied10028.html
``Shalom, mantriji,'' Zubin shouted and dragged me by the arm. ``Here, here, meet the greatest goonda of Israel, none other than Arik Sharon,'' he said,

If goonda meant the same as the English goon (with its strong implication of stupidity), I don't think the term would be used here. It appears to mean more "chief gangster" than "thug".