A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers has called on the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Justice to launch a formal investigation into a recent incident at an Illinois temple, treating the event as a potential federal hate crime. The request follows concerns regarding the safety of religious institutions within the South Asian community.

In addition to the call for a federal probe, the lawmakers emphasized the need for better coordination between federal agencies and local law enforcement. They urged the FBI to share timely threat intelligence with state and local authorities to prevent future incidents. Furthermore, the group requested that the government provide additional protective resources to Hindu temples, Sikh gurdwaras, and other South Asian houses of worship to ensure the safety of their congregations.

While the request highlights a push for increased federal oversight and security, the specific details regarding the nature of the Illinois incident—such as the identity of the perpetrators or the exact timeline of the threat—remain limited in current reporting. The lawmakers' appeal reflects a broader concern among community leaders regarding the rise of targeted threats against religious minority institutions in the United States.