Raja Krishnamoorthi: Big Tech profits from anti-Indian hate surge on social media
Synopsis
Days after leading 105 US lawmakers in demanding the FBI investigate an alleged mass-shooting plot at a Hindu temple in Illinois as a federal hate crime, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has now turned his fire on Big Tech — accusing social media platforms of directly profiting from the anti-Indian hatred that he says is fuelling such threats. It is a two-front legislative offensive that could force both law enforcement and tech giants to reckon with the targeting of the Indian-American community.
Key Takeaways
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi posted on X on Wednesday accusing Big Tech of profiting from a surge in anti-Indian hate on social media.
On Tuesday , Krishnamoorthi led 105 lawmakers in urging FBI Director Kash Patel to investigate the Balaji temple, Aurora, Illinois plot as a federal hate crime, with answers sought by 29 October .
The accused, Alexandros Paporakis, 19 , of Palatine, faces state charges and is detained; next court date is 30 October .
Police say Paporakis left a white-supremacist manifesto targeting Indians and South Asians .
The lawmakers' letter also criticised Department of Homeland Security and Department of Education messaging for allegedly legitimising racial and religious stereotyping.
Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has accused major technology companies of profiting from a sharp rise in anti-Indian hate content on social media and urged the US Congress to hold them accountable. His remarks, posted on X on Wednesday, come weeks after an alleged plot to carry out a mass shooting at a Hindu temple in his home state of Illinois.
What Krishnamoorthi Said
'Anti-Indian hate is exploding on social media, and Big Tech is profiting from it,' wrote Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat representing Illinois, in a late-Wednesday post on X. 'These companies have no incentive to stop the hatred they help spread. Congress must hold them accountable,' he added. The post included a 47-second video but did not name any specific tech company, nor did it outline specific legislative steps he plans to pursue.
The Balaji Temple Plot and Federal Push
The remarks are directly linked to Krishnamoorthi's broader campaign for a federal response following the alleged plot targeting the Balaji temple in Aurora, Illinois. On Tuesday, he led 105 lawmakers — including every Indian-American member of Congress and Senators Dick Durbin, Tammy Duckworth, Andy Kim, and Chris Van Hollen — in writing to FBI Director Kash Patel, urging the bureau to investigate the plot as a federal hate crime. The lawmakers requested written answers by 29 October.
'The alleged combination of targeted racial hatred, a religious setting, and preparations for mass violence demands a comprehensive federal response,' the letter stated. Among its five questions, the letter asked the FBI about the role of online platforms, possible accomplices, and how the bureau distinguishes online threats from speech protected under the First Amendment.
Criticism of Government Messaging
The letter also took aim at recent administration communications, including posts from the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Education, saying such messaging 'risks lending governmental legitimacy to racial and religious stereotyping.' This represents a notable escalation — lawmakers are not only pressing law enforcement but questioning whether federal agencies themselves are amplifying harmful narratives.
The Accused and Current Legal Status
The suspect, Alexandros Paporakis, 19, of Palatine, Illinois, faces state charges of making a terrorist threat and unlawful possession of a short-barrelled rifle. A Cook County judge has ordered him detained. His next court appearance is scheduled for 30 October, according to local media reports. Police have said Paporakis left a white-supremacist manifesto specifically targeting Indians and South Asians. Notably, Krishnamoorthi was reportedly present at the temple at the time of the alleged attack attempt.
Broader Context
This is not an isolated incident — hate crimes targeting South Asian and Hindu communities in the United States have drawn increasing attention from lawmakers and civil society groups in recent years. The push to classify the Aurora plot as a federal hate crime signals a growing recognition that online radicalisation and real-world violence targeting diaspora communities require a co-ordinated national response. How Congress and the FBI respond in the coming weeks will set a significant precedent.
Point of View
Which leaves the accountability call rhetorical for now; the real test will be whether he introduces a bill or seeks hearings. The letter's criticism of DHS and Education Department messaging is the sharpest element, implying federal agencies may be inadvertently providing cover for anti-Indian sentiment. That accusation, if it gains traction, could complicate the administration's standing with Indian-American voters — a constituency both parties have actively courted.
NationPress
22 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi say about Big Tech and anti-Indian hate?
Krishnamoorthi posted on X on Wednesday accusing Big Tech of profiting from a surge in anti-Indian hate on social media and calling on Congress to hold these companies accountable. His post included a 47-second video but did not name specific companies or detail planned legislation.
What is the Balaji temple plot in Aurora, Illinois?
The alleged plot involved 19-year-old Alexandros Paporakis of Palatine, Illinois, who faces state charges of making a terrorist threat and unlawful possession of a short-barrelled rifle in connection with an alleged plan to carry out a mass shooting at the Balaji temple in Aurora, Illinois. Police say he left a white-supremacist manifesto targeting Indians and South Asians.
What are the 105 lawmakers asking the FBI to do?
Led by Krishnamoorthi, 105 US lawmakers have written to FBI Director Kash Patel urging the bureau to investigate the Balaji temple plot as a federal hate crime and respond in writing by 29 October. Their letter asks about the role of online platforms, possible accomplices, and how the FBI distinguishes online threats from First Amendment-protected speech.
Why did lawmakers criticise the Department of Homeland Security and the Education Department?
The lawmakers' letter criticised posts from both agencies, arguing that such messaging 'risks lending governmental legitimacy to racial and religious stereotyping' of Indians and South Asians. This suggests a concern that federal communications may be contributing to an environment hostile to the Indian-American community.
What happens next in the Paporakis case?
Alexandros Paporakis is currently detained following an order by a Cook County judge and is next scheduled to appear in court on 30 October, according to local media reports. He faces state-level charges; the federal hate crime investigation sought by Krishnamoorthi and other lawmakers is pending FBI response.
