MEA Flags Growing ‘Racist Hostility, Anti-India Hate’ in US After Alleged Hindu Temple Shooting Plot

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday expressed concern over an alleged plot to carry out a mass shooting at a Hindu temple in Aurora, Illinois, saying the incident adds to growing concerns over “racist hostility and anti-India hate” in the United States.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the reported anti-Hindu and racist nature of the alleged plot, including references to violence against people of Indian origin, was particularly disturbing. He called for greater vigilance and decisive action to ensure the safety of the Indian community in the US.

“We are deeply concerned by reports of an alleged plot to carry out a mass shooting targeting a Hindu temple in the Aurora area of Illinois,” Jaiswal said in response to media queries.

“This incident adds to growing concerns over racist hostility and anti-India hate in the US. There is a need for greater vigilance, zero tolerance for hate-motivated violence, and decisive action to ensure the safety and security of the Indian community,” he added.

The MEA said it had taken note of the action by US law enforcement authorities, including the arrest and detention of the suspect and the charges filed against him. It urged authorities to conduct a thorough investigation, bring those responsible to justice and take steps to prevent similar incidents.

The statement follows the arrest of 19-year-old Alexandros Paporakis in connection with the alleged plot to target a Hindu place of worship in the Aurora area.

According to the Palatine Police Department, the investigation began on October 11 after the Mount Prospect Police Department shared information about a potential mass shooting. The information reportedly came from an individual who had received concerning electronic communications from Paporakis.

Investigators said the suspect had shared a document outlining an alleged plan to carry out a mass shooting at a Hindu temple, along with images of a rifle, rifle magazines, body armour and other tactical equipment.

Paporakis was taken into custody as he was leaving his residence. A subsequent search of his home led to the recovery of a rifle, multiple loaded rifle magazines, hundreds of additional rounds of ammunition, tactical equipment and other items believed to be relevant to the investigation.

Police also recovered a tactical vest containing body armour and a patch displaying imagery associated with white supremacist extremism.

Detectives examined electronic communications and a document attributed to Paporakis titled “Why I Fought: A.K.A.: (Aurora Shooter’s Manifesto)”. According to police, the document contained statements expressing white supremacist and extremist ideologies, including references to violence against people of South Asian heritage, particularly those of Indian descent.

Investigators believe the suspect may have been planning to carry out the attack on October 11, potentially targeting a Hindu place of worship in Aurora.

Paporakis was charged with one count of making a terrorist threat, a Class X felony, and one count of unlawful possession of weapons. He appeared at a detention hearing on Wednesday, where a judge ordered that he remain in custody.

With inputs from ANI