Lawmakers from across the political aisle in the United States have condemned the foiled mass shooting plot targeting a Hindu temple in Aurora, Illinois, as the Justice Department's civil rights division confirmed it would review the case. The suspect, Alexandros Paporakis, 19, was taken into custody and ordered held on 14 October following a coordinated law enforcement operation.

The Plot and Arrest

The FBI's Chicago field office confirmed that Paporakis was apprehended after local law enforcement received information about a potential mass shooting. The arrest followed a coordinated investigation involving the Palatine Police Department, the Mount Prospect Police Department, and FBI Chicago. According to the Hindu American Foundation (HAF), the gunman was reportedly already at the temple and attempted to open fire, but his weapon jammed. Police reportedly recovered a rifle, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and body armour from the suspect.

Bipartisan Congressional Condemnation

Representative Rich McCormick, a Georgia Republican and co-chair of the House India Caucus, stated: 'The plot to massacre innocent Americans at a Hindu temple is unequivocally wrong. Violence toward anyone based on a religion, political orientation, or race is evil. The freedom to worship without fear is a fundamental American right.'

Representative Jamie Raskin, a Maryland Democrat, said: 'Americans are outraged by this planned mass shooting at a Hindu temple in Illinois. We must stand together—and strong—against white supremacist hate and violence targeted at temples, synagogues, churches and mosques.'

Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, an Illinois Democrat who said he and his family were worshipping at the temple on the day of the incident, described the attacker as 'a white supremacist attempted a mass shooting targeting Indian Americans.' He added in an earlier statement: 'This is where the poison of anti-Indian hatred and white supremacy can lead, and we cannot wait until innocent people are killed to take it seriously.'

DOJ Civil Rights Division to Review Case

Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon posted on X on Wednesday: 'Concerning. @CivilRights will review/investigate.' She shared a report headlined 'Palatine man, 19, plotted mass shooting at Hindu place of worship, police say.' The intervention by the federal civil rights office signals a possible escalation of the case to a hate crime designation.

India, Community Groups Respond

India's Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, called the attempted attack 'deeply disturbing,' adding: 'Racist violence including anti-Hindu and anti-India hate has no place in a civilized society.' Aurora Alderwoman Shweta Baid said she was 'deeply saddened,' affirming that 'no one should ever feel unsafe while practising their faith.'

The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), describing the suspect as 'a 19-year-old white supremacist,' said the attack was 'part of a rising wave of Hinduphobia and the latest in several attacks on a temple.' The group said the Hindu community in North America had faced 'a dozen plus attacks of varying intensity since 2022,' including a reported gunfire incident at a temple in Spanish Fork, Utah, in 2025. HinduPACT separately urged FBI Director Kash Patel to investigate.

With the DOJ civil rights division now engaged and bipartisan pressure mounting on Capitol Hill, the case is likely to intensify scrutiny on the federal government's response to religiously motivated hate crimes targeting Hindu communities in the United States.