New York City mayoral candidate and Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani is facing backlash after making anti-Modi remarks. During a public forum hosted by New York Focus on May 15 (local time), he referred to the Indian Prime Minister as a “war criminal.” At the event, titled “New Mayor, New Media”, Mamdani compared Modi to Israeli PM Netanyahu, saying, “This is someone we should view in the same manner we do Benjamin Netanyahu. This is a war criminal.”
At the forum, Mamdani was asked a hypothetical question: if Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a rally at Madison Square Garden and wanted to appear alongside the New York City mayor at a joint press conference, would he agree to participate? Mamadani, who has a strong connection with India as both his parents- father Mahmood Mamdani and mother Mira Nair- were born in India, said he won’t join. Mamdani added that his father is a Gujarati Muslim, and then compared the Indian PM with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, Indian-origin New York politician Jenifer Rajkumar slammed Mira Nair’s son Zohran Mamdani for his remarks. The remarks have sparked outrage among other Indo-American leaders and community representatives, as they accused Mamdani of promoting hate and deepening religious divides.
He also added that according to the 2011 census, nearly 10% of Gujarat’s population were Muslims. That number has likely grown in the last 10 years. So, saying there are no Muslims left in Gujarat is a false and ridiculous claim. The Indian High Commission in New York should strongly respond to such a statement.
Jenifer Rajkumar Slams Mamdani
Jennifer Rajkumar strongly reacted to the statement and said such divisive language about foreign leaders should have no place in the New York mayoral poll when there are real issues. “At a time when New Yorkers are struggling with real issues- rising crime, a housing crisis, and growing hate- we cannot afford to be distracted by extreme, divisive language about foreign leaders,” Rajkumar said to the New York Post. “Hinduism is a faith of peace, nonviolence, and interfaith harmony. Hindu voters want our leaders to build bridges, not burn them. We must reject hate, whether it comes from the far left or the far right. Our city deserves leaders who unite, not provoke—who build coalitions, not headlines,” Rajkumar said.
Sikh Community Leader
Jaspreet Singh, a Sikh Community Leader and human rights lawyer, also criticised Mamdani and said, “Hate has no place in our city. We believe in equality, love and respect for all. We believe all are children of the same God. But Zohran has used his platform to amplify some of the worst anti-Hindu rhetoric imaginable. Words matter, and instead of uniting the Indian community, he seeks to divide us by religion, pitting Muslims and Hindus against each other. Associating Hindus with fascism and using derogatory words against them is highly objectionable.”
Who Is Zohran Mamdani?
Amongst candidates running for the New York City mayoral race, 33-year-old Zohran Mamdani is gaining prominence due to his targeted community outreach, strong fundraising, progressive positioning, and improving poll numbers. Mamdani is the son of Indian origin parents with African roots. His mother, Mira Nair, is an Indian filmmaker. His father, Mahmood Mamdani, is an Indian-born Ugandan academic with roots in Gujarati.
Zohran Kwame Mamdani was born and raised in Uganda’s Kampala. Later, he moved to New York City with his family at the age of seven. He is a graduate of the NYC Public School System and attended the Bronx High School of Science. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Africana Studies from Bowdoin College. In 2018, he attained American citizenship. Zohran is proud to be the first South Asian man to serve in the New York State Assembly. He is also the first Ugandan and only the third Muslim to ever hold a seat in this legislative body. During his high school years, Zohran co-founded the school’s first-ever cricket team, which went on to participate in the inaugural cricket season organised by the Public School Athletic League.
Mamdani raised more than $840,000 over the last two months and has more than 16,000 donors- a surprisingly good showing for a candidate who was not well known to New Yorkers.
