US teen accused of plotting mass shooting at Hindu temple; Indian groups mull joint action

Indian-origin groups in the US are considering joint action involving migrants from different backgrounds, including Punjabis and South Indians, amid growing concerns over alleged anti-Indian hostility following a foiled mass-shooting plot targeting a Hindu temple in Aurora, near Chicago. A 19-year-old man has been charged in connection with the alleged threat, which was reported to authorities by a co-worker.According to reports Alexandros Paporakis of Palatine, Illinois, appeared in court on Wednesday facing charges of making a terrorist threat and unlawful possession of a weapon. According to investigators, he allegedly sent a message about the planned attack to a co-worker on Sunday, who alerted the authorities.Reports suggest that Palatine police chief William Nord said a co-worker’s tip about “concerning electronic communications” alerted authorities to the alleged plot. Police reportedly found writings expressing white supremacist views and hatred towards non-white people. Paporakis’s vehicle was also seen at an Aurora Hindu temple on Sunday. The allegations are yet to be proven in court.The incident has drawn condemnation from Indian-American organisations, which have called for a thorough investigation and action against those responsible.Sam Pitroda, former adviser to late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi who lives in the US, said the incident reflected the need to counter hatred and division with greater respect for diversity and inclusion.“The world is at a crossroads with old ideas and old institutions. We need a redesign that looks at the reality of inclusion, sustainability, AI and a lifetime opportunity to take humanity to the next level,” he said.Sam said growing political polarisation, attacks on democratic institutions and the undermining of civil society were contributing to division, fear and hostility towards people who were different.Himmat Singh, coordinator of the Sikh Coordination Committee East Coast, also condemned the reported plot and appreciated law enforcement's efforts to prevent a possible tragedy. He expressed concern over hostility towards immigrants, saying political disagreements should not become a justification for hatred against entire communities.The Indian Overseas Congress USA (IOCUSA) strongly condemned the alleged plot. Its vice-chairman George Abraham , in an official statement, said targeting a place of worship because of its religious identity would strike at the principles of religious liberty and human dignity. He called for a thorough investigation and urged authorities to bring those responsible to justice.George said that Indian Americans are a hardworking, peaceful, law-abiding community that has contributed enormously to the economic, scientific, educational, and cultural advancement of the United States. Religious freedom and respect for diverse faiths are integral parts of their heritage. No community should ever have to live in fear simply because of its ethnicity, religious beliefs, or place of worship.Meanwhile, Satnam Singh Chahal, executive director of the North American Punjabi Association (NAPA), called for Indian migrants, irrespective of their regional backgrounds, to jointly address concerns over hostility towards the community.“This is very unfortunate, but it seems to me that this action is against Indians and is a hate crime. New voices are being raised against Indians, and this teenage boy's action is proof of this,” Chahal said, referring to earlier incidents of anti-Indian rhetoric in Houston, Texas.Chahal said the association was considering convening a meeting of migrants from different backgrounds, including Punjabis and South Indians, to discuss the issue and explore a coordinated response.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.