Anti-India Hate Incidents: India on Thursday raised concerns over growing anti-India hate after US law enforcement arrested a 19-year-old man over an alleged plot to carry out a mass shooting at a Hindu Temple in Aurora, Illinois. The case has once again brought attention to the safety of the Indian diaspora and growing concerns over racist attacks against Indian communities abroad.
India Flags Growing Anti-India Hate
In response to media queries, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India was deeply concerned by reports of the alleged plot. He described the reported “anti-Hindu” and racist nature of the plan, including references to violence against people of Indian origin, as particularly disturbing. India has called for a thorough investigation into the case to prevent similar incidents in future.
The incident comes days after a Hindu temple in Richmond Heights, Ohio, in the Greater Cleveland area was attacked on October 3. According to the Hindu American Foundation (HAF), one or more people threw bricks at the Shree Swaminarayan Vadtal Dham Hindu Mandir while priests and devotees were present. The video, which was circulated online, showed the heavily damaged building.
What Is Anti-India Hate?
Anti-India hate, also known as Indophobia or anti-Indian sentiment, refers to prejudice, discrimination, hostility or violence against Indian nationals, people of Indian origin and Indian culture. The incidents include racial slurs, online harassment, physical assaults, hate-motivated robberies, vandalism of Indian-owned businesses and attacks on Hindu temples.
According to reports, such incidents have been reported in countries such as the US, Canada, the UK and Australia. However, it is important to note that every attack on an Indian national is not necessarily a hate crime. The motive needs to be established through investigation.
What Does The Data Reveal?
Data shared by the MEA in Parliament shows that attacks and assaults on Indians were reported across 45 countries between 2022 and 2025. The total number of reported cases rose from 52 in 2022 to 109 in 2023 and 107 in 2024, before falling to 50 in 2025. Sri Lanka recorded the highest number of cases over the last four years, with 66 incidents.
It was followed by Canada with 28 and the US with 34. Russia recorded 20 cases, while the UAE reported 22. Notably, these figures cover reported attacks and assaults on Indians and do not necessarily mean confirmed hate crimes. However, the US has recorded the highest number of reported attacks and hate-related incidents against Indian nationals.
Past Incidents Targeting Temple
In August 2025, the sign at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Greenwood, Indiana, was defaced with anti-India and anti-Modi graffiti. Advocacy groups had attributed the incident to pro-Khalistan activists.
Before that in September 2024, the BAPS temple in Sacramento, California, was targeted with graffiti reading “Hindus go back.” Its water pipes were also damaged. The same month, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Melville, New York, was defaced with anti-Hindu messages and swastikas.
Similarly, Canada has also reported incidents targeting Hindu religious sites. The Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey, British Columbia earlier faced the placement of inflammatory referendum posters on its gates.
Earlier in July 21, 2024, the Swaminarayan Temple in the Boronia suburb of Melbourne, Australia, was defaced with racist slurs and hateful graffiti reading "Go Home Brown C**t.”
All these incidents call for stronger action against hate-motivated violence and better protection for Indian communities living abroad. With the latest shooting plot in Illinois, India has again urged US to ensure accountability and prevent attacks targeting people on the basis of their religion and origin.
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