Washington, October 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Co-chairs of the US House India Caucus have urged the Justice Department and the FBI to investigate an alleged plot to carry out a mass shooting at a Hindu temple in Aurora, Illinois, as a potential federal hate crime.
Republican Representative Rich McCormick of Georgia and Democratic Representative Ro Khanna of California made the request in a letter sent on Friday to Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel. They called for the case to be examined under Sections 247 and 249 of Title 18 of the US Code, which address certain crimes involving religious property and violence motivated by protected characteristics.
The lawmakers asked investigators to determine whether anyone had encouraged, assisted or coordinated with the accused, share relevant threat information with Hindu temples and gurdwaras, and brief the India Caucus on the investigation.
“As Co-Chair of the US India Caucus, I’m joining @RepMcCormick in calling on the DOJ and FBI to investigate this as a potential federal hate crime and hold those responsible accountable,” Khanna said on X, describing the alleged plot as horrifying.
According to the FBI’s Chicago field office, Alexandros Paporakis, 19, of Palatine, was taken into custody after local law enforcement received information about a potential mass shooting. So far, state charges have been filed, while the FBI is reviewing the case. The next court date is scheduled for October 30.
The letter cited a reported increase of approximately 240 per cent in anti-South Asian hate posts on X between January 2024 and June 2026. The figure was drawn from a September 2026 report by the Center for the Study of Organized Hate.
The request comes amid broader concern among lawmakers over anti-South Asian hostility and threats against places of worship. On Thursday, leaders of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) issued a statement linking rising hate to racist rhetoric and white supremacist ideology.
The CAPAC statement cited the alleged suspect’s reported neo-Nazi views and described the plot as evidence of the dangers extremist ideology poses to South Asian communities and houses of worship. Those assertions form part of the lawmakers’ public response to the case.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said anti-Indian and anti-Hindu rhetoric had reached an alarming level and warned against hatred turning into violence. Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth also condemned the alleged plot, saying white supremacy and hate had no place in the country.
Other lawmakers from both parties called for accountability and stronger protection for religious institutions. Representative Bill Foster, whose district includes Aurora, said everyone should be able to worship without fear of being targeted because of faith or ethnicity.
Aurora city officials also condemned the alleged plot, saying the city’s diversity was a source of strength and that residents deserved to live and worship safely.
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