October 15, 2026
New York: The Indian Overseas Congress USA (IOCUSA) strongly condemns the alleged attempt to carry out a mass shooting at a Hindu temple in Aurora, Illinois, and calls upon law enforcement authorities to thoroughly investigate the incident and bring those responsible to justice.
According to media reports, a 19-year-old suspect was arrested after allegedly planning an attack on Hindu worshippers. Investigators reportedly discovered weapons, ammunition, and a disturbing manifesto expressing white supremacist views and describing Indians and other minority communities in degrading and racist terms.
“This is not merely an attack on a Hindu temple or the Indian American community. It is an attack on the very principles of religious liberty, human dignity, and freedom of conscience upon which the United States was founded,” said George Abraham, Vice Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress USA.
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.
These unprovoked threats, driven by racism, religious intolerance, and hatred, have absolutely no place in American society. The United States has long stood as a beacon of freedom where people of different religions and backgrounds can live together and practice their faith without fear or intimidation.
“We urge federal and local law enforcement authorities to investigate this incident thoroughly, examine its possible hate-crime dimensions, and ensure that justice is served in accordance with the law. Such acts of hatred and intimidation must never be tolerated or allowed to become normalized in our society,” Abraham added.
IOCUSA also commends the alert citizens and law enforcement officials whose timely actions helped prevent a possible tragedy.
As two great democracies, the United States and India have a special responsibility to safeguard religious freedom and freedom of conscience, particularly for minority communities. These freedoms cannot be selective. The right to worship freely must be protected equally, whether one is a Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Jew, or follower of any other faith.
IOCUSA reaffirms its solidarity with the Hindu community in Illinois and across the United States and calls upon all Americans to reject racism, religious hatred, and extremism in every form.
Issued by:
George Abraham
Vice Chairman
Indian Overseas Congress USA (IOCUSA)
