Washington, October 21, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
As many as 105 US lawmakers have urged the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to investigate an alleged plot to carry out a mass shooting at a Hindu temple in Illinois as a possible federal hate crime, citing concerns over threats against Indian-Americans and other South Asian communities.
The bipartisan appeal was led by Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, who was worshipping with his family at the Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple in Aurora when the alleged attack was attempted on October 11.
In a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel on Tuesday, the lawmakers called for a comprehensive investigation into whether racial or religious hatred motivated the suspect and whether other individuals helped plan or encourage the alleged attack.
The signatories include all Indian-American members of Congress, the entire Illinois House Democratic delegation and Senators Dick Durbin, Tammy Duckworth, Andy Kim and Chris Van Hollen.
According to prosecutors, 19-year-old Alexandros Paporakis of Palatine, Illinois, drove to the temple intending to carry out a shooting but fled after his rifle malfunctioned. Authorities said he was arrested later that day after a coworker alerted police to his alleged plans to return.
Prosecutors allege that Paporakis, who identified himself as a neo-Nazi, had prepared an eight-page white supremacist manifesto describing violence against people of Indian descent at a Hindu place of worship. Investigators reportedly recovered a rifle, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, body armour and white supremacist imagery.
The suspect has been charged with making a terrorist threat and unlawful possession of weapons. The allegations have not been established in court.
“The alleged combination of targeted racial hatred, a religious setting, and preparations for mass violence demands a comprehensive federal response,” the lawmakers wrote.
The letter also raised concerns about online hostility towards Indians, Hindus, Sikhs and other South Asian communities. Citing a September 2026 study by the Center for the Study of Organized Hate, the lawmakers said more than 542,000 anti-South Asian hateful posts appeared on X between January 2025 and June 2026. The study reportedly found that the monthly volume of such posts increased by approximately 240 per cent between January 2024 and June 2026.
A separate Carnegie Endowment survey found that 48 per cent of Indian-American respondents had frequently encountered racist online posts targeting their community since the beginning of 2025.
The lawmakers also criticised social media posts by federal agencies that they said risked reinforcing racial and religious stereotypes. They cited a September Department of Homeland Security post depicting a Sikh man with the message, “Get off our roads, you don’t know how to drive Mr. Singh.”
The post was subsequently removed following criticism. DHS maintained that it referred to a specific individual accused in a fatal traffic accident.
The letter also referred to a Department of Education post following complaints about South Asian spectators at a University of Texas football game.
“We believe such messaging risks lending governmental legitimacy to racial and religious stereotyping,” the lawmakers wrote.
They asked the FBI to clarify whether investigators were examining online communications linked to the alleged Aurora plot, including possible assistance from other individuals. They also sought information about the agency’s ability to identify credible threats, share intelligence with local authorities and protect potentially targeted places of worship.
The lawmakers requested a written response by October 29, including details on whether the investigation was examining both racial and religious bias.
“No one should fear being targeted because of their ancestry, appearance, or faith, and no congregation should have to wonder whether gathering for worship will make its members targets of mass violence,” the letter stated.
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