India on Thursday expressed grave concern over the arrest of a 19-year-old American youth who was allegedly plotting a mass shooting at a temple in the city of Aurora, Illinois, flagging it as an instance of "racist hostility and anti-India hate in the US, while also taking up the matter with concerned law enforcement authorities.
In a statement by spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, the Ministry of External Affairs said, "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. The reported anti-Hindu and racist nature of the alleged plot, including references to violence against people of Indian origin, is particularly disturbing".
He added that the Government of India has taken a strong note of the action taken by the US authorities, including the arrest of the suspect, who is a self-proclaimed "sociopathic white supremacist Neo Nazi".
"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," the statement read.
He added that India expects US authorities to thoroughly investigate the matter and bring those responsible to justice, besides taking all necessary measures to prevent such incidents in future.
Sinister plot to target Hindus foiled
The MEA's response comes after authorities in Chicago arrested Alexandros Paporakis for allegedly plotting a mass shooting at a Hindu temple in Aurora. Police reportedly recovered a cache of weapons, ammunition and items bearing racial slurs and Nazi imagery during a search of his residence.
Paporakis, a Taco Bell cashier from Palatine, Illinois, faces felony charges of making a terrorist threat and unlawful possession of weapons. Investigators suspect that he may have planned to target the Sri Venkateswara Temple, one of the largest Hindu places of worship in the area.
The action came after the police were alerted by Paporakis’ co-workers, who reportedly received disturbing digital messages, including an alleged mass shooting plan and photographs of tactical equipment. Prosecutors allege that he had openly identified as a white supremacist at work and expressed a desire to kill Indian people.
Law enforcement agencies tracked down and arrested Paporakis as he was leaving his home on Sunday afternoon. Investigators believe he may have been preparing to carry out an attack that day.
According to a court document obtained by The Associated Press, Paporakis had sent a co-worker an eight-page document titled *“Why I fought: A.K.A. (Aurora Shooter’s Manifesto).”* The document allegedly described Indian, Jewish and African American people as “subhumans” and outlined a plan to kill as many people from these communities as possible.
In the document, Paporakis allegedly described himself as “a sociopathic white supremacist Neo Nazi filled with hatred, fantasising about mass murder nearly every day.”
During a search of his residence, detectives reportedly recovered an AR-style rifle without a serial number, loaded magazines and ammunition. Investigators also allegedly found a gas canister bearing a racial slur targeting South Asians, along with several objects featuring Nazi symbols.
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