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CoHNA accuses Mamdani of conflating Hakenkreuz with swastika
The organization spotlighted NYC Mayor's South Asian heritage and remarked that he is aware of the swastika’s ancient Sanskrit roots.
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Jeffin T. Kaleekal - Tue, 05, May 2026
- 04:35 EDT
- 23
Image of Swastika and NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani / CoHNA and Wikimedia Commons
The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) decried Zohran Mamdani’s recent labeling of the Hakenkreuz as the swastika, while criticizing recent vandalism and hate-crime incidents, on May 4.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, in a recent X post, expressed strong condemnation after reports surfaced that several synagogues and homes in the New York borough of Queens were vandalized overnight, on May 4, with the racist German hooked cross symbol.
Mamdani described the actions as a “deliberate act of antisemitic hatred” and noted that the safety, dignity and belonging of Jewish New Yorkers are nonnegotiable.
Expressing solidarity with the Jewish community, he noted that he was “horrified and angered” by the incident.
ALSO READ: Online post of California students forming 'human swastika' sparks outrage
However, in his condemnation, Mamdani described the paintings as swastikas, and this drew the ire of the Hindu advocacy group.
Acknowledging that the vandalism was a hate crime and swift action must be taken, CoHNA urged Mamdani to use the correct terminology in order to “call these symbols of hate by the right name — the Hakenkreuz and not swastika!”
CoHNA spotlighted Mamdani’s South Asian heritage and remarked that the mayor is aware of the swastika’s ancient Sanskrit roots and that it is sacred to millions of Hindus, Buddhists and Jains.
CoHNA said, “Between 2020-2021, when the New York State Legislature debated bills to label the word swastika as a hate symbol, we met with many of your colleagues to educate them on the accurate usage and they understood.”
They continued, “We urge you to refer to the same and call Hitler’s symbol of hate by the term he always used — the Hakenkreuz. Context & Accuracy Matter. We are happy to meet with your office and explain the issue in more detail.”
It is horrific to see homes and synagogues in NYC become the target of hate crimes. We trust swift action will be taken to tackle the issue.
— CoHNA (Coalition of Hindus of North America) (@CoHNAOfficial) May 5, 2026
But Mayor Mamdani, we urge you to use the correct terminology and call these symbols of hate by the right name - the Hakenkreuz and not… https://t.co/ISM3rQ921X pic.twitter.com/K7haAQfQOF
CoHNA has been campaigning against the misidentification of Hitler’s Hakenkreuz as swastikas in Canada and the United States.
It previously called on Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, and The Wall Street Journal to issue a correction to a paid advertisement published in the newspaper after it carried Ye’s apology for past antisemitic remarks, wherein it wrongly equated the swastika with the Hakenkreuz.
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