Top U.S. lawmakers, leaders and civil society members have strongly condemned the plot to attack a Hindu temple in Illinois, calling for efforts to combat growing anti-Indian and anti-Hindu prejudice in America.
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lawmakers → condemn → America
Alexandros Paporakis (19) from Palatine was arrested on October 11 for attempting to carry out a mass shooting at the temple in the Aurora area.
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Paporakis → arrest → area
Officials said the attack failed as his rifle jammed outside the temple, forcing him to drive back home.
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rifle → say → him
He appeared in court on October 14 and was charged with one count of making a terrorist threat and one count of unlawful possession of weapons.
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He → appear → weapons
U.S. lawmakers said bigotry had no place in the United States.
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bigotry → say → States
Indian-American Congressman from Illinois, Raja Krishnamoorthi, said he and his family were at the temple when the 19-year-old man’s planned attack failed.
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attack → say → temple
“I am horrified that a white supremacist attempted to carry out a mass shooting targeting Indian Americans at the Hindu temple in Aurora where my family worships.
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family → horrify → Aurora
My family and I were there when the attack was attempted last Sunday,” Mr. Krishnamoorthi said in a statement.
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Krishnamoorthi → attempt → statement
The Democrat congressman further said it showed how dangerous anti-Indian hatred and white supremacy have become, adding that “we cannot wait until innocent people are killed to take these threats seriously.”
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people → say → threats
Congressman Brad Sherman pressed the need to combat anti-Indian prejudice.
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Sherman → press → prejudice
I am outraged by the anti-Indian and anti-Hindu hate that is rising across the country and impacting so many, including my friend and colleague @CongressmanRaja.
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that → outrage → friend
This attempt to slaughter families while they pray is the epitome of evil,” he said on X.
“We must combat anti-Indian and anti-Hindu prejudice wherever it occurs and continue strengthening the security of minority houses of worship,” he added.
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he → slaughter → worship
New York’s Senator and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said he was “incredibly alarmed” about the attempt by a “white supremacist” to commit an act of mass violence at a Hindu temple in Aurora.
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he → say → Aurora
“Anti-Indian and anti-Hindu rhetoric is at an alarming level in America, and now we are seeing that hatred turn into violence.
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hatred → see → violence
Bigotry against any community has no place in America, and I remain committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of their race or religion, can live and practice their faith openly in our country,” Mr. Schumer said.
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Schumer → have → country
U.S. Representative Ami Bera said he was “horrified" to learn that Mr. Krishnamoorthi and his family were worshipping when a white supremacist attempted a mass shooting targeting Indian Americans.
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supremacist → say → Americans
"This incident is a stark reminder of the threats facing Hindu communities and other communities targeted by religious and racial hatred.
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incident → face → hatred
Every American has the right to worship in peace.
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American → have → peace
Congress must do more to combat hate-fueled violence and protect our communities from these threats,” Mr. Bera said.
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Bera → do → threats
U.S. Congresswoman Suzan DelBene, representing Washington's 1st Congressional District, expressed support to Mr. Krishnamoorthi, his family, and Indian American and Hindu communities across the country.
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DelBene → represent → country
“No one should have to live in fear of violence for how they worship.
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they → live → violence
Grateful for the swift actions of law enforcement that handled this threat.
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that → handle → threat
As a nation, we must vehemently condemn violence & hatred in all forms,” she said.
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she → condemn → forms
Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar said he was “heartbroken" to hear that Mr. Krishnamoorthi and his family were targeted by an attempted mass shooting while worshipping.
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Krishnamoorthi → say → shooting
“Congress must fight the horrifying rise in anti-Hindu attacks: everyone should be able to practice their faith without fear,” Mr. Thanedar said.
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Thanedar → fight → fear
Congressman Nick LaLota described the alleged plot to “massacre” Hindu Americans as "pure evil”.
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LaLota → describe → evil
He said no American should ever fear for their life because of their faith, race, or ancestry.
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American → say → faith
“Anti-Hindu hatred has no place in America, and those who threaten innocent lives must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” he said, adding that religious liberty is a cornerstone of America and defending it is among the government's most solemn responsibilities.
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defending → have → responsibilities
“I stand with the Hindu-American community, both on Long Island and across our nation.
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I → stand → nation
I commend those who reported these threats and the Law Enforcement officers who acted to protect innocent lives.”
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who → commend → lives
Rep Josh Gottheimer said hate and violence “have no place in America, and no one should have to worry about their safety while worshipping.”
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one → say → safety
Echoing similar sentiments, Democratic Whip and Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee Senator Dick Durbin said, “This incident is a reminder that we must remain vigilant against prejudice and bigotry.”
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we → echo → prejudice
Consul General of Israel in Chicago Elad Strohmayer unequivocally condemned the plot targeting the Hindu temple in Aurora.
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Strohmayer → condemn → Aurora
“To the Hindu community in Illinois: we stand firmly with you.
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we → stand → you
Your safety and your freedom to worship matter to us.
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safety → matter → us
No one should fear for their life in a place of worship.
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one → fear → worship
Hatred against one community threatens us all, and we must stand together against it,” he said.
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he → threaten → it
At a press conference on Thursday (October 15, 2026), Palatine Police Department Chief William Nord said Paporakis had been planning the attack alone.
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Paporakis → say → attack
“He did reveal some details in the manifesto that he's been planning this for some time.
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he → reveal → time
We are still trying to determine why the October 11th date was significant for him.
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date → try → him
…and 12 more, not listed.
The Aporia
