Zohran Mamdani’s decisive victory in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary on June 24 has positioned him as a potential historic figure — the first South Asian and Muslim mayor if he wins in November.
However, his Indian heritage and Muslim faith have sparked significant backlash, particularly from supporters of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The 33-year-old’s vocal criticism of Hindu nationalism and Modi’s policies has drawn ire, with some labeling him “anti-Hindu” or “anti-India.”
A New Jersey-based group, Indian Americans for Cuomo, even funded a plane banner over NYC reading: “Save NYC from Global Intifada. Reject Mamdani.”
Experts see this as reflective of broader tensions between Modi’s supporters and critics of his government’s human rights record.
Mamdani’s outspoken stance against human rights abuses, including Modi’s role in the 2002 Gujarat riots, has fueled attacks from India’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies.
BJP MP Kangana Ranaut questioned Mamdani’s Hindu roots, stating, “Whatever happened to his Hindu identity or bloodline.”
A pro-BJP Indian news channel, Aaj Tak, claimed Mamdani received funding from “anti-India” groups, pairing this with warnings about NYC’s Muslim population.
Kayla Bassett from the Center for the Study of Organized Hate noted, “This isn’t just about one individual. It’s about promoting a narrative that casts Muslims as inherently suspect or un-American.”
Such rhetoric, experts argue, targets Mamdani’s faith to undermine his campaign.
Despite the vitriol, Mamdani’s campaign has resonated with New York’s diverse communities, particularly South Asians.
Preliminary results show strong support in neighborhoods like Little Bangladesh and Jackson Heights, with a final ranked-choice tally confirming a 56% to 44% win over Andrew Cuomo.
Arvind Rajagopal, a New York University professor, called the victory “seismic,” highlighting Mamdani’s multilingual outreach in Hindi, Urdu, and Bangla.
Jagpreet Singh of DRUM Beats emphasized Mamdani’s engagement with Hindu communities, including his support for Diwali as a state holiday.
As Mamdani faces Eric Adams and possibly Cuomo in November, his ability to unify diverse voters remains a cornerstone of his campaign.