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Over 100 US lawmakers asked the FBI to investigate the Aurora temple attack as a hate crime. The appeal highlights growing concern over anti-Indian hostility and worshippers' safety.
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Washington,Oct 21, 2026 02:50 IST
More than 100 US lawmakers have asked FBI Director Kash Patel to investigate an attempted mass shooting at a Hindu temple in Illinois as a federal hate crime, news agency Press Trust of India reported.
The lawmakers also sought details of steps taken to address online threats against Indian-Americans. Their letter followed an incident in which a 19-year-old gunman allegedly tried to open fire at the Sri Venkateswara Swami temple in Aurora, near Chicago, but the shotgun jammed.
The October 20 letter was signed by 105 members of Congress, including four US Senators. It was led by Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi. Indian-American Congress members Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Ami Bera, Suhas Subramanyam and Shri Thanedar were among the signatories.
The lawmakers also criticised the Trump administration's messaging, saying it sought to legitimise racial and religious stereotypes.
They cited a Department of Homeland Security post that depicted a Sikh man with the message, "Get off our roads, you don't know how to drive Mr. Singh." They also referred to a Department of Education post declaring "Make College Football Great Again" after a Texas Republican complained about South Asians attending a University of Texas football game.
"We are also deeply concerned that communications from the administration have risked amplifying, rather than rejecting, hostility toward these communities," the lawmakers said in the letter, according to PTI.
They said the alleged combination of targeted racial hatred, a religious setting and preparations for mass violence required a comprehensive federal response. "We appreciate the FBI's reported assistance to local investigators and urge the Bureau to ensure that potential hate-crime violations receive explicit attention," they said.
The lawmakers cited a September 2026 report that identified more than 5,42,000 anti-South Asian hateful posts on X between January 2025 and June 2026. The monthly volume rose by about 240 per cent between January 2024 and June 2026.
They also referred to a Carnegie Endowment survey which found that 48 per cent of Indian-American respondents had encountered racist posts targeting their community very or somewhat often since the start of 2025. One in four respondents reported being called a slur.
The lawmakers asked whether the FBI was examining possible racial, ethnic and religious bias in the Aurora case, whether online platforms or other individuals had facilitated the alleged plot, and what steps were being taken to protect places of worship.
"No one should fear being targeted because of their ancestry, appearance or faith, and no congregation should have to wonder whether gathering for worship will make its members targets of mass violence," the lawmakers said.
The letter urged the FBI to examine the attempted shooting as a possible hate crime, investigate any role played by online platforms or other people, and strengthen protection for places of worship amid threats targeting Indian-American communities.
With PTI Inputs
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