Alexandros Paporakis, 19, of Palatine, a northwestern suburb of Chicago, was arrested on October 11
TOI correspondent from Washington: A gun that jammed, followed by a co-worker’s decision to alert police, may have prevented a massacre of Indians at a Hindu temple in Illinois, exposing the growing dangers of recent white-supremacist fixation on people of Indian-origin amid broader anti-immigration sentiment in America.Alexandros Paporakis, 19, of Palatine, a north-western suburb of Chicago, was arrested on October 11 after colleagues reported disturbing electronic messages about an alleged mass shooting plan.Prosecutors say the young man, who worked as a cashier at a local Taco Bell, had discussed killing Indians, identified himself as a white supremacist and warned co-workers that Sunday, when Hindus were celebrating the first day of Navratri at the temple, would be “a special day”.According to court records, Paporakis allegedly intended to attack what he described as the largest Hindu temple in Aurora, another Chicago-area suburb. Police have not confirmed the intended target, although he was reported to have zeroed in on the Sri Venkateswara (Balaji) Temple – so famous that it has featured in several Indian movies.The intended carnage triggered a strong reaction from the India’s ministry of external affairs, which, possibly for the first time, flagged xenophobia in the MAGA era, saying “This incident adds to growing concerns over racist hostility and anti-India hate in the US.”
“There is a clear need for greater vigilance, zero tolerance for hate-motivated violence, and decisive action to ensure the safety of the Indian community,” the MEA said in a statement, adding, “India expects US authorities to thoroughly investigate, deliver justice, and take all necessary measures to prevent such incidents.”