16 October,2026 07:25 PM IST | | mid-day online correspondent
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. Pic/ X
India on Friday called on the United States (US) to ensure the safety, security and well-being of its nationals following an alleged white supremacist plot to carry out a mass shooting targeting Indian Americans at a Hindu temple in Aurora, Illinois.
Responding to a question about the incident, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Friday that the alleged plot was a matter of "deep concern" for India and highlighted the growing cases of hate crimes and racial discrimination against the Indian community in the US.
"You would have seen the statement we issued yesterday. This is obviously a matter of deep concern for us. At the same time, it highlights the increasing cases of hate crimes and racial discrimination against the Indian community in the United States," Jaiswal said.
"We have taken note of the action that US law enforcement authorities have undertaken following this incident, but we call on the US side to ensure the safety, security and well-being of Indian nationals in the country," he added.
The incident involves 19-year-old Alexandros Paporakis, who was arrested after authorities received information on October 11 about a potential mass shooting targeting the Sri Venkateswara Swami Balaji Temple in Aurora, near Chicago.
According to police, investigators recovered a document outlining an alleged attack plan, along with firearms and tactical equipment. Reports said the material included a manifesto titled "Why I Fought: A.K.A. (Aurora Shooter's Manifesto)", which allegedly contained white supremacist and extremist views.
Authorities reportedly recovered weapons, hundreds of rounds of rifle ammunition, tactical equipment, body armour and a patch bearing imagery associated with white supremacist extremism.
Prosecutors have alleged that Paporakis identified as a white supremacist and expressed an intention to kill Indian people. The allegations have not been established in court.
The accused faces one count of making a terrorist threat, a Class X felony, and one count of unlawful possession of weapons. A judge ordered him detained following a hearing, with his next court appearance scheduled for October 30, according to media reports.
The alleged plot has drawn condemnation from US lawmakers and local officials, with Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi revealing that he and his family were worshipping at the Aurora temple when the alleged attack was attempted.
In a post on X, Krishnamoorthi condemned the alleged targeting of Indian Americans and called for collective action against racial hatred and white supremacy.
He said the threat demonstrated the dangers posed by anti-Indian hatred and warned against waiting for lives to be lost before taking threats of hate-motivated violence seriously.
The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) also condemned the alleged plot, saying it highlighted the danger white supremacist ideology posed to minority communities and places of worship.
CAPAC cited a report by the Centre for the Study of Organised Hate (CSOH), released on September 28, which documented a rise in online hate targeting South Asian Americans.
According to the report, monthly anti-South Asian hate on X increased by 240 per cent between January 2024 and June 2026. More than 500,000 anti-South Asian posts were recorded on the platform between January 2025 and June 2026.
The report found that racist and dehumanising content targeted South Asians across national, religious and ethnic identities, with Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims frequently subjected to interchangeable stereotypes.
Aurora Mayor John Laesch expressed concern over reports that members of a Hindu temple had been targeted, saying no one should feel threatened or unsafe for practising their faith or attending a place of worship.
Laesch also acknowledged the role of the individual who alerted authorities and the law enforcement agencies that responded to the threat, expressing solidarity with the temple and the wider Hindu community.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker also condemned the alleged plot, calling for the protection of Indian Americans and people of all faiths. He reiterated that hate had no place in Illinois.
The investigation and subsequent legal proceedings will establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged plot and the charges against the accused.
The MEA's remarks come ahead of a scheduled meeting between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on October 20. Jaishankar is also scheduled to attend a celebration marking the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States as the Guest of Honour.
Separately, Jaishankar will host UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Mumbai on October 19 and 20 for an official visit.
(With ANI inputs)
