Politics · India Bureau
Over 100 US lawmakers demand FBI investigate Illinois temple attack as hate crime
A bipartisan group of more than 100 US lawmakers has written to FBI Director Kash Patel urging a federal hate crime investigation into an attempted shooting at a Hindu temple in Illinois. The letter also calls for action against online threats targeting Indian-Americans and criticizes the Trump administration's approach to racial and religious stereotyping.
LSN India ·
Led by Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, the 105 members of Congress—including four US Senators—sent the letter following an attempted mass shooting at the Sri Venkateswara Swami temple in Aurora, near Chicago. A 19-year-old gunman attempted to open fire at the temple, but the attack was averted when his shotgun jammed, preventing casualties.
The lawmakers demanded that federal authorities investigate the incident as a hate crime and provide detailed information about measures being taken to address escalating online threats against Indian-American communities. The letter emphasized the need for stronger protections for religious minorities and immigrant communities facing targeted harassment.
Indian-American members of Congress, including Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Ami Bera, Suhas Subramanyam, and Shri Thanedar, joined the call for action. The letter also criticized recent government communications perceived as legitimizing racial and religious stereotypes, citing examples including a Department of Homeland Security post that perpetuated harmful stereotypes about Sikhs and driving.
The bipartisan effort reflects growing concerns among lawmakers about the safety of Asian-American and Indian-American communities amid rising instances of hate-motivated incidents and online harassment campaigns targeting minority groups across the United States.