India has voiced strong concern over an alleged mass-shooting plot targeting the Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple in Aurora, Illinois, near Chicago, with the Ministry of External Affairs urging US authorities to ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals.

Speaking during the MEA's bi-weekly media briefing on Friday, spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the incident was deeply concerning and reflected a growing pattern of hate crimes and racial discrimination affecting Indian communities in the United States.

While acknowledging the swift response of American law-enforcement agencies, Jaiswal stressed that India expects the US to take all necessary steps to safeguard Indians living in the country and prevent similar incidents in the future.

The remarks came after the arrest of 19-year-old Alexandros Paporakis, who has been charged with making a terrorist threat and unlawful possession of a weapon in connection with an alleged plan to carry out an attack on the Hindu temple in Aurora. According to investigators, the allegations remain subject to judicial proceedings and have not yet been proven in court.

Authorities were alerted on 11 October after a colleague reported disturbing electronic communications allegedly linked to the suspect. Investigators subsequently recovered a document outlining the purported attack plan, as well as firearms, hundreds of rounds of rifle ammunition, tactical equipment and body armour.

They also discovered an alleged manifesto titled Why I Fought: A.K.A. (Aurora Shooter's Manifesto) containing white supremacist ideology, according to law-enforcement authorities.

Prosecutors further alleged that Paporakis openly identified as a white supremacist and expressed hostility towards Indian people. Court documents cited by multiple US media reports indicate that investigators believe he had studied the Aurora temple online for weeks and may have spent an extended period planning an attack.

Earlier, the MEA described the case as "particularly disturbing" and called on US authorities to conduct a thorough investigation, bring those responsible to justice and implement measures to ensure such threats do not recur.

The incident has triggered widespread condemnation across the United States. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi revealed that he and his family were worshipping at the temple when the alleged attack attempt occurred.

Expressing gratitude that a tragedy was averted, he warned that anti-Indian hatred and white supremacist extremism posed a serious threat and should not be ignored until lives are lost.

The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) similarly condemned the alleged plot, saying it highlighted the continuing danger posed by white supremacist ideologies to minority communities and places of worship.

Aurora Mayor John Laesch and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker also denounced the threat, calling for stronger protections for religious institutions and reaffirming support for the Indian American community as well as people of all faiths.

The case has reignited debate in the United States over the security of religious sites and the threat posed by hate-motivated violence, particularly as Indian American organisations and community leaders seek enhanced protections for Hindu temples and other community institutions.

ANI