NYC Mayoral Race: Zohran Mamdani’s Campaign Ignites Deep Divides Within South Asian Community
NYC Mayoral Race: Zohran Mamdani’s Campaign Ignites Deep Divides Within South Asian Community
New York City’s mayoral race is intensifying, with leading candidate Zohran Mamdani facing significant and often vitriolic opposition from within the South Asian community, even as he garners support from other segments. The controversy highlights how religious and cultural tensions, typically associated with the Indian subcontinent, are now deeply influencing local NYC politics ahead of the November general election.
Recent events have brought these divisions to the forefront. At a community gathering last week at the Gujarati Samaj in Queens, controversial Hindu speaker Kajal Hindusthani reportedly labeled Mamdani, who is of Indian descent with a Muslim father and Hindu mother, a “new demon” obstructing righteous rule. This rhetoric, echoed across both U.S.-based far-right and South Asian accounts, exemplifies what a report from the Center for the Study of Organized Hate describes as a “globalized grievance network” fueling Islamophobic attacks against Mamdani’s campaign.
Critics, including some South Asian voters, accuse Mamdani of being anti-Hindu, citing his policy stances and foreign policy statements, such as his past characterization of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “war criminal.” Concerns also arise over his support for legislation to prohibit caste-based discrimination, which some groups claim unfairly targets South Asian communities.
Despite the fierce backlash, Mamdani maintains a base of Hindu supporters who laud his commitment to pluralism. Groups like “Hindus for Zohran” emphasize his inclusive approach, seeing him as a reflection of New York City’s multicultural fabric. Prominent community figures, such as Dr. Uma Mysorekar of the Hindu Temple Society of North America, acknowledge some community fears but stress the importance of judging candidates on their ability to serve the city, not their religious background.
The deep-seated disagreements underscore the complex dynamics at play in a city with a substantial South Asian population, where voter turnout and allegiances in the upcoming mayoral election could be significantly shaped by these evolving religious and political fault lines. Mamdani’s campaign has largely refrained from directly addressing the attacks, though he previously stated, “We should be bringing New Yorkers together, not stoking division.”
Disclaimer: This content is aggregated from public sources online. Please verify information independently. If you believe your rights have been infringed, contact us for removal.