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USIRC president rebukes Mamdani over swastika reference
Mamdani's wrote an X post after a swastika-like symbol was carved into a car on Manhattan's Upper East Side
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Staff Reporter - Sun, 28, Jun 2026
- 05:05 EDT
- 163
Image of Swastika and NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani / CoHNA and Wikimedia Commons
The president of the United States India Relationship Council (USIRC), Amit Desai, has accused New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani of misidentifying the Hakenkreuz as a swastika in a social media post condemning an antisemitic incident, renewing criticism previously raised by another Hindu advocacy organization.
Could you please stop spreading lies? You know it is NOT #Swastika. It is #Hakenkreuz which is an antisemitic symbol.
— Dr. Amit Desai (@adesaidds) June 27, 2026
Stop cultural misappropriation and defaming #Hindu American community.
My Jewish brothers/sisters know your intention very well.
Shame on you Mayor Zohran… https://t.co/xrVyDCEVXt
Responding to Mamdani's post on X, Desai, president of the advocacy organization USIRC, wrote: "Could you please stop spreading lies? You know it is NOT #Swastika. It is #Hakenkreuz which is an antisemitic symbol.
"Stop cultural misappropriation and defaming #Hindu American community.
"My Jewish brothers/sisters know your intention very well.
"Shame on you Mayor Zohran Mamdani."
Mamdani's post came after a swastika-like symbol was carved into a car on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Condemning the incident, he wrote: "The swastika carved into a car on the Upper East Side is a despicable act of antisemitism. It is a hateful attack of intimidation on our Jewish neighbors and on the values that make our city what it is."
He added: "I have full confidence the NYPD, which is investigating this as a hate crime, will do everything to ensure those responsible are held accountable.
"To every Jewish New Yorker: your city stands with you. We will confront acts of antisemitism wherever they appear with urgency and without exception."
The criticism follows a similar objection raised last month by the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA).
On May 4, CoHNA criticized Mamdani after he condemned the vandalism of several synagogues and homes in the New York City borough of Queens with the racist German hooked cross symbol. In his post, Mamdani described the vandalism as a "deliberate act of antisemitic hatred" and said the safety, dignity and belonging of Jewish New Yorkers were nonnegotiable. He also said he was "horrified and angered" by the incident.
However, CoHNA objected to Mamdani's use of the term "swastika" to describe the symbol. While acknowledging that the vandalism was a hate crime requiring swift action, the organization urged him to use what it described as the correct terminology and "call these symbols of hate by the right name — the Hakenkreuz and not swastika!"
CoHNA also referred to Mamdani's South Asian heritage, saying he is aware of the swastika's ancient Sanskrit roots and that it is considered sacred by millions of Hindus, Buddhists and Jains.
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