Hindu groups escalate Hinduphobia claims against Mamdani in NYC mayoral race
Hindu activists allege Zohran Mamdani’s rhetoric inflames religious tensions and imports overseas disputes into New York politics, even as his campaign and supporters push a message of inclusion.
Indian-American Hindu groups on Tuesday intensified their critique of Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic Socialist candidate for New York City mayor, accusing him of Hinduphobia and warning that his rhetoric could undermine the city’s long-standing, diverse civic fabric. The charges, advanced by Hindu-rights groups and Hindu Americans in the diaspora, come as Mamdani seeks the Democratic nomination in a crowded field and as Hindu communities weigh how his positions might shape policy in a city with a large, politically active Indian minority. Critics say Mamdani has framed politics in a way that pits minority groups against one another, using international disputes to color domestic debates, a tactic his supporters say is misread and overblown.
Critics point to a 2020 Times Square protest against a Hindu temple project in Ayodhya, India, where Mamdani is seen alongside activists, with chants in Hindi that disparaged Hindus. They contend the episode illustrates a pattern in which overseas political debates are invoked in New York politics. Mamdani has argued the issue centered on religious freedom and civility, but opponents say it signals a broader tendency to frame Hindu symbols and leaders as threats.
Among the grievances, Mamdani has labeled New York Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, the first Hindu-American elected to the state Legislature, a puppet of what he calls Hindu fascists. Critics argue that such language deepens divides at the local level and could complicate efforts to build coalitions across faith communities in the city. The charges come as Mamdani’s past public remarks on India’s politics draw fresh scrutiny as his profile rises in a major U.S. metropolis.
June saw a further flash point when Hindu-rights activists funded an aerial banner over the Hudson River urging New Yorkers to reject Mamdani and to “SAVE NYC FROM GLOBAL INTIFADA.” The banner, financed in part by Satya Dosapati, a telecom worker from New Jersey, drew attention to what organizers described as a risk to the city from radical, global politics.
Leaders described as Hindu-American activists signed a letter to India’s foreign minister urging action against what they call Mamdani’s Hinduphobic rhetoric. They argued the candidate has damaged trust among Hindu communities, and they warned that the harmony that defines New York could be at risk if the discourse around Hindu symbols and places of worship continues unchecked.
Hindu-American Foundation director Suhag Shukla said the group is monitoring for further dehumanizing rhetoric toward Hindus, pointing to Mamdani’s liberal use of terms like extremist and fascist in the context of Hindu leaders and symbols. She noted the importance of condemning anti-Hindu rhetoric at rallies Mamdani has attended.
Lakshmi Bandlamudi, a psychology professor at LaGuardia Community College in Queens, told The Post she felt disappointed and shocked when Mamdani secured the Democratic nomination, calling the 33-year-old candidate ethically unsound and saying his rhetoric threatens New York’s harmony. “First, as a New Yorker, he would hurt the city with reckless freebies. His comments on Hindus and Jews are terrifying, and it adds fuel to the already existing fire,” Bandlamudi said.
Mam d a n i’s campaign responded with a statement saying that Hinduism is a meaningful part of his life — his mother is Hindu — and that those values guide his campaign: he rejects rhetoric targeting Hindus and opposes any politics of bigotry. The campaign noted that Mamdani’s father is a professor who hails from a region connected to Modi’s birthplace and that his family history informs his commitment to religious freedom and equal rights for all New Yorkers.
In response to the controversy, some supporters warn that the discourse risks inflaming diaspora politics inside a Detroit-to-Denver-like crossflow of opinion in New York. Critics of Mamdani say his approach to issues in India and to Hindu symbols could complicate New York’s efforts to maintain a pluralistic civic life that has long attracted immigrant communities.
Mamdani has also drawn attention for remarks about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which critics say cross a line into demeaning a democratically elected leader. Those comments have reinforced concerns among Hindu-American leaders who view Modi’s policies in a nuanced light and prioritize stability and strong U.S.-India ties.
The broader context includes historical sensitivities around the Ram Mandir temple in Ayodhya, a dispute tied to land claimed by Hindus and a mosque that stood on the site for centuries. In 2019 an Indian court ruled in favor of Hindu claim to the land, enabling the temple’s construction. Critics say the episode remains a salient backdrop for discussions about religious identity in both India and the diaspora, and they caution against letting such disputes spill into New York’s political arena.
Some observers note that Gujarat’s 2002 riots — which followed a terrorist attack on a train carrying Hindu pilgrims — continue to color attitudes toward Modi and his government, complicating interfaith dialogue for New York candidates who seek broad support across immigrant communities. Proponents of Mamdani say the controversy is a distraction from his stated agenda on housing, transit, and civil liberties, and they argue that opponents are weaponizing diaspora politics for electoral gain.
Observers say the incident underscores how identity politics and transnational issues can intersect with urban elections, testing New York’s ability to maintain its reputation as a tolerant, diverse metropolis. The outcome of the mayoral race could hinge, in part, on how candidates address concerns from Hindu-Americans and other immigrant groups about representation, respect, and the city’s shared future.
As the campaign moves forward, advocates for Hindu communities say they will continue to press for accountability and clarity from candidates on how they balance free expression, religious symbols, and the need for unity in a city that prides itself on welcoming people from all backgrounds.