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NYC Mayor faces flak over ties to controversial Indian speaker
Kajal Hindustani is currently touring the U.S. and is expected to attend the event on July 16
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Staff Reporter - Fri, 11, Jul 2025
- 16:27 EDT
- 78
Mayor Eric Adams / Facebook
New York City Mayor Eric Adams is facing criticism after being listed as a “Guest of Honor” at an upcoming community event organized by the Gujarati Samaj of New York, where a controversial Indian commentator, Kajal Hindustani is scheduled to speak.
More than two dozen advocacy and community organizations, led by the South Asian group Savera, signed a joint letter urging the Mayor to disassociate himself from the event. The groups raised concerns over public statements made by Hindustani in India, which they described as inflammatory and discriminatory toward religious minorities.
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In a statement, Sunita Viswanath, executive director of Hindus for Human Rights, one of the organizations that signed the letter, said, “Mayor Adams cannot claim to stand against hate while continuing to associate with those who platform it.”
Following the letter, a spokesperson for the Mayor said Adams would not be attending the July 16 event and clarified that the Mayor had “never planned to attend,” despite his name and photo appearing on promotional flyers circulated online. Event organizers, including Gujarati Samaj president Harshad Patel, have said the Mayor’s office had previously confirmed his participation.
After the Mayor’s decision not to attend the event, criticism continued when it was reported that Adams attended a political fundraiser later that same day, hosted by individuals associated with the same organizing group. Several advocacy organizations said the fundraiser appearance raised further questions about the Mayor’s engagement with the event’s sponsors.
The coalition of groups has called on Adams to publicly address the matter, clarify the circumstances around his inclusion on the flyer, and meet with representatives from affected communities. The organizations include CAIR-NY, Desis Rising Up and Moving (DRUM), the Indian American Muslim Council, the Sikh Coalition, Jewish Voice for Peace, and Hindus for Human Rights.
Event organizers have not commented further on the Mayor’s decision. Kajal Hindustani, who is currently touring the United States, is scheduled to appear as planned.
Representatives from civil rights, interfaith, and South Asian organizations are expected to address a press conference scheduled for noon on July 15 on the steps of City Hall. They will discuss growing concern over the influence of divisive international rhetoric in local political spaces, a press release stated.
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