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Indian American groups slam Mamdani for “Hinduphobic” remarks
Indian diaspora organizations in the US accused the Democratic candidate of making “bigoted” and “anti-Hindu” statements.
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Pranavi Sharma - Tue, 28, Oct 2025
- 23:21 EDT
- 53
Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani talks to people after the New York City Democratic Mayoral Primary Debate at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in the Gerald W. Lynch Theater in New York City., U.S., June 12, 2025. / Vincent Alban/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
A coalition of Hindu and Indian American organizations has condemned New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani for what it described as “Hinduphobic actions and statements". In an open letter dated Oct. 10, 2025, the groups said they were “appalled” by Mamdani’s remarks and accused him of promoting “bigotry against the community".
The letter was signed by more than 20 organizations, including Americans4Hindus, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA), the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), the Association of Indians in America, and the HinduPACT.
“We respect freedom of speech and thought,” the letter stated, “but as a public official, you are aware that free speech must not be used to target an entire community with false information and endorse bigotry against the community.”
Twenty Hindu Organization in the US ask @ZohranKMamdani to explain his anti Hindu statements in the recent past. #breakingnews #NewYork #Zohran #Cuomo pic.twitter.com/Yqy2m5ddnX
— Rohit Sharma (@DcWalaDesi) October 26, 2025
The letter comes after Mamdani visited two Hindu temples in New York's Flushing area earlier this month—BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir and another nearby temple—during the Navratri season. Speaking at the event, he said the visit was “a way for me to connect with the Hindu heritage of my maternal family.” His mother, filmmaker Mira Nair, was born into a Hindu family in India.
ALSO READ: “Proud of my Hindu Heritage”: Mamdani visits NYC temples to connect with supporters
The groups cited several instances to support their allegations. They referred to Mamdani’s appearance at a 2020 rally where, according to the letter, organizers “called Hindus ‘baxxxxd’ as well as ‘dishonest thieves… who should go drink cow urine.’” The letter said Mamdani had “failed to denounce these dehumanizing comments and stand in solidarity with the Hindu community".
The signatories also accused Mamdani of calling Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, the first Hindu to be elected to the New York legislature, a “puppet of ‘Hindu fascists.’” They said that targeting a respected lawmaker “as a puppet of fascists is not only inaccurate but also breeds Hinduphobia and conspiracy theories about Hindu lawmakers.”
ALSO READ: Jenifer Rajkumar amplifies Hindu advocacy amid Mamdani criticism
The letter went on to dispute Mamdani’s description of India’s Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) as “the first stage of an attempt to strip Muslims of their citizenship,” calling it a “false narrative” that ignores the law’s stated purpose to aid “religiously persecuted minorities” in neighbouring countries.
It further accused the candidate of ignoring attacks on Hindu temples in the US and of supporting legislation that “profiles Hindus and people of Indian origin” by introducing caste as a protected category in New York.
“These comments and stances… have caused great pain to many New Yorkers of Hindu faith,” the letter said, adding that the undersigned had “no confidence” in Mamdani’s ability to engage with Hindu community concerns.
The signatories urged all political candidates to “stand against hate and bigotry” and ensure that New York City “remains a place that welcomes all.”
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