Zohran Mamdani aims to become the first Asian American and Muslim mayor of New York City. His campaign has gained support from immigrant communities but faces backlash from South Asian voters, particularly over allegations of being anti-Hindu. His background as a child of Muslim and Hindu parents adds complexity. Attacks on Mamdani have been extensive, including Islamophobic rhetoric from both local and distant sources, reflecting broader religious tensions. Despite criticism, some Hindus support his platform of pluralism, indicating a divided but engaged voter base in the upcoming election.
One of the more extreme examples was on display at a community event at the Gujarati Samaj, a cultural center in Queens last week. Kajal Hindusthani, a controversial Hindu speaker from India, told the event's 350 attendees that Mamdani is "a new demon" who stands in the way of righteous rule - or "Ram Rajya" - for Hindus. "As long as demons are alive on earth," she told the rapt audience in Hindi, "Ram Rajya cannot come." She urged audience members to get out and vote against Mamdani.
Mamdani -who was born in Uganda to Indian parents, his father Muslim and his mother Hindu - and his campaign have received a high volume of Islamophobic attacks, including from Hindus in India and in the diaspora, according to the Washington, D.C.-based Center for the Study of Organized Hate.
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