US Congressman Raises Alarm Over Anti-Indian Hate After Alleged Plot to Attack Hindu Temple
A suspected mass shooting at a Hindu temple in Illinois was allegedly prevented after a teenager’s firearm malfunctioned, prompting renewed concerns over anti-Indian sentiment, domestic extremism and gun violence in the United States.
US Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, who represents Illinois’s 8th congressional district, was visiting the Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple in Aurora with his family for morning prayers on a Sunday marking the beginning of Navratri when the alleged plot unfolded nearby.
According to police, 19-year-old Alexandros Paporakis allegedly intended to carry out a mass shooting targeting Indians. Investigators said his AR-15-style rifle jammed, forcing him to leave the area before he could carry out the attack. He was arrested later that day after a co-worker, to whom he had reportedly disclosed his intentions, alerted authorities.
Krishnamoorthi said thousands of devotees had gathered at the temple to mark the Hindu festival, making the alleged threat particularly alarming.
The Democratic congressman blamed what he described as growing anti-India, anti-Indian American and anti-South Asian hatred in the country, arguing that extremist rhetoric online was contributing to real-world violence.
Krishnamoorthi Blames Online Hate and Political Rhetoric
Speaking about the alleged plot, Krishnamoorthi said anti-Indian hostility was increasingly visible across the United States and cited instances of inflammatory remarks directed at Indian Americans.
He referred to an elected official in Florida who had called for his deportation and told him to “take your curry and go home”. He argued that such statements were contributing to an environment in which targeted communities could face threats and violence.
The lawmaker also criticised the Trump administration over a social media post directed at Sikh Americans that reportedly urged people identified as Singh to “self-deport or else”.
Krishnamoorthi linked the rhetoric to an incident involving a Sikh truck driver who was allegedly stabbed 17 times approximately a week later. He argued that online hostility could encourage individuals to act violently against members of minority communities.
“This rhetoric online is now translating into violence. And it’s got to stop now,” he said.
He also accused President Donald Trump and his Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement of using anti-Indian sentiment as a political tool, alleging that such rhetoric had become part of political campaigns in some areas.
Krishnamoorthi urged lawmakers across party lines to oppose hatred targeting Indian Americans and other minority groups, including Jewish, Muslim and Sikh communities.
Police Recover Rifle, Ammunition and Nazi-Related Items
During searches at Paporakis’s residence, police reportedly recovered a bag containing an AR-style rifle without a serial number, a tactical vest, eight loaded magazines, an extended magazine containing ammunition and approximately 300 rounds of rifle ammunition.
Investigators also found items displaying Nazi symbolism, including swastikas, as well as a gas can labelled “Jeet Remover”.
Krishnamoorthi said the alleged attack could have resulted in mass casualties had the weapon functioned as intended.
He described the incident as a serious security failure, questioning how a teenager allegedly planning violence against Indians had access to an AR-15-style firearm and a substantial quantity of ammunition.
The congressman called for stronger measures to restrict access to firearms that can make attacks especially deadly. He argued that preventing individuals from acting on violent intentions required both effective law enforcement and stronger gun-control measures.
Concerns Over Domestic Extremism and FBI Priorities
Krishnamoorthi also raised concerns about the federal response to domestic violent extremism, describing the incident as a potential intelligence failure.
He criticised the FBI under the Trump administration, alleging that the agency had devoted too much attention to other priorities, including immigration, at the expense of threats posed by domestic extremists.
According to the congressman, a reduced focus on domestic violent extremism could allow potential attacks to go undetected, putting Indian Americans and other vulnerable communities at risk.
He stressed that white supremacist violence could target people from different religious and ethnic backgrounds, making it essential for authorities to identify threats before they escalate into attacks.
His remarks highlighted broader questions about the resources allocated to investigating extremist networks, monitoring threats and protecting religious institutions.
Call to Release Security Funding for Religious Institutions
Krishnamoorthi also urged the administration to release funding under the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), which helps eligible nonprofit organisations, including religious institutions, strengthen their security against potential threats.
The programme supports security improvements at places of worship such as Hindu temples, synagogues, mosques and churches.
The congressman accused the Trump administration of delaying the release of funds for political reasons and called for the money to be made available so that institutions could take steps to reduce risks.
He warned that another attack could have devastating consequences if a religious institution lacked adequate protection despite the availability of security assistance.
Big Tech Urged to Act Against Online Radicalisation
Krishnamoorthi further called on major technology companies to take greater responsibility for addressing the spread of violent hate on social media platforms.
He argued that online hate could contribute to the radicalisation of young people and encourage them to act on extremist beliefs. According to him, technology companies should strengthen their efforts to identify and curb content that promotes hatred and violence.
The alleged plot at the Aurora temple has brought together several concerns raised by the congressman: anti-Indian hostility, online radicalisation, access to firearms, domestic extremism and security at places of worship.
Krishnamoorthi called for action across these areas, urging political leaders, law enforcement agencies and technology companies to work towards preventing further violence against minority communities.
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