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Hindus for Human Rights flays Islamophobia in NYC mayoral race
The condemnation follows a series of incidents involving Governor Andrew Cuomo and other public officials.
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Staff Reporter - Wed, 29, Oct 2025
- 16:09 EDT
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Hindus for Human Rights / HfHR website
Hindus for Human Rights (HfHR) condemned the growing use of Islamophobic and racist rhetoric in the New York City mayoral race, urging political leaders and media outlets to reject hate speech targeting Muslim and South Asian Americans.
In a statement released on Oct. 29, the advocacy group called on “all political candidates, public officials, and media outlets to condemn Islamophobia and racism against South Asian Americans.”
Also Read: Hindus for Human Rights slams Newsom veto of SB 509
The condemnation follows a series of incidents involving Governor Andrew Cuomo and other public officials. Cuomo mocked mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani for his Muslim faith, implying that Mamdani “could not be trusted” and might “celebrate” a terrorist attack in New York City.
Current Mayor Eric Adams added to the controversy when he warned that New York could be “overcome with Islamic extremism,” comparing the city to “what’s happening in Europe.” Other figures, including a Texas representative and the Vice President, have also made remarks mocking Mamdani’s heritage and experiences with Islamophobia.
“These politicians are teaching Americans to treat their Muslim neighbors as the other,” the HfHR statement said. “They want Americans to judge each other by the color of their skin rather than the content of their character.”
HfHR emphasized that South Asian Americans, including Hindu Americans, have faced increased bigotry in recent months, particularly around the Diwali season.
The group criticized what it called discriminatory immigration policies under the current administration and warned that “Hindu nationalists in our community have amplified Islamophobia against Muslim politicians”—a trend it said deepens divides within South Asian communities. “These organizations and their hate will not keep any of us safe,” the group stated.
The organization also noted that Islamophobia and anti–South Asian racism have far-reaching effects across the political spectrum, documenting attacks on South Asian public figures, including Second Lady Usha Vance. “At a time when xenophobia, racism, and religiously motivated bigotry are on the rise,” HfHR said, “South Asian Americans deserve leaders who will respect our civil and human rights.”
The statement comes amid a heated political atmosphere following Mamdani’s historic nomination as the Democratic candidate for mayor. According to the Center for the Study of Organized Hate, anti-Muslim posts referencing Mamdani or his religion rose by nearly 40 percent online after his primary victory.
Hindus for Human Rights, which has long advocated for interfaith solidarity, said the only way forward is collective resistance to bigotry. “At a time when our communities are under attack,” its statement concluded, “we must choose unity over hate.”
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