As Zohran Mamdani aims for a historic victory in the upcoming New York City general election, the potential first South Asian mayor has faced substantial backlash, particularly from the Indian diaspora.
Mamdani’s triumph in the Democratic mayoral primary has sparked intense scrutiny, especially due to the political climate surrounding Prime Minister Narendra Modi and criticisms regarding human rights abuses in India.
The vitriol directed at Mamdani highlights the deep divides within the South Asian community, as critics point fingers at his Muslim identity, brandishing terms like “jihadi” and “Islamist” to tarnish his image.
According to Kayla Bassett, the director of research at the Center for the Study of Organized Hate, this hostility towards Mamdani transcends individual attacks, aiming instead to perpetuate a narrative that views Muslims as outsiders or un-American.
The Hindu right has been particularly vocal against Mamdani, with some members of Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticizing his remarks about human rights and questioning his eligibility for office based on his express criticism of Modi’s actions.
One notable attack came from BJP Member of Parliament Kangana Ranaut, who accused Mamdani of abandoning his Hindu identity, referencing his mother, director Mira Nair, and questioning his loyalty to Hindus.
The backlash against Mamdani intensified after he achieved significant support in the primary election, including derisive claims from pro-BJP media in India and notices highlighting his Muslim heritage alongside images of women in hijabs.
Notably, a New Jersey-based group, Indian Americans for Cuomo, even funded a plane to display a message rejecting Mamdani’s candidacy, further demonstrating the contentious atmosphere surrounding his campaign.
Mamdani’s ongoing criticism of Hindu nationalism has made him a target for those aligned with Modi, particularly post-2020 when he protested a temple built on a site tainted by communal violence.
Mamdani’s outspoken stance against Modi’s policies—most vividly illustrated when he called Modi a “war criminal” during a town hall—has drawn ire from both rivals and international supporters of the Indian government.
Critics persist in utilizing Mamdani’s family heritage as a means to discredit him, while others closer to home have rallied to undermine his achievements.
The dual identity that Mamdani occupies as a Muslim and a person of Gujarati descent could reinforce existing societal barriers within the Hindu American community, which tends to be more affluent and may not fully relate to the diverse backgrounds within Hindu populations.
This complex interplay is compounded by the socio-economic stratifications present among Hindu Americans, with many aligning their identities along lines of class and privilege.
Suchitra Vijayan, a New York City-based writer, notes that Mamdani’s strong Muslim identity puts him at the forefront of scrutiny, a position previously held by other Muslim politicians criticizing Modi’s administration.
Mamdani’s criticism, steeped in family ties to the Gujarati region, amplifies the stakes of his political battle, causing a heightened focus on his ethnicity and beliefs.
Despite the backlash, experts believe Mamdani’s campaign could galvanize a significant portion of the Indian American population, as many in the community tend to lean Democrat.
With approximately 710,000 Indians and Indian Americans residing in New York City, Mamdani has already made inroads in areas with substantial Asian populations, evidenced by his impressive primary victory over Cuomo.
Described as “seismic,” Mamdani’s win signals a shift in voter sentiment, especially considering his multilingual abilities and intimate connection to diverse South Asian cultures.
Political analysts assert that Mamdani’s embrace of his Muslim identity serves as an asset in his campaign, particularly as the US grapples with the ramifications of past anti-Muslim rhetoric under President Donald Trump.
The ongoing criticisms from certain Hindu groups, while notable, may not resonate with New York City’s politically diverse electorate, according to Jagpreet Singh of DRUM Beats.
Singh emphasizes Mamdani’s efforts to connect with various communities, including Hindu populations, as part of a broader unifying strategy during his campaign.
This approach has seen Mamdani actively engaging with Hindu organizations and celebrating cultural festivals, indicating his willingness to bridge divides and foster inclusion.
Such outreach efforts underline Mamdani’s vision for a city united across cultural lines, despite the vehement opposition he faces from segments that resist his progressive stance.
As the election date approaches, Mamdani’s resilience as a trailblazer in New York City politics—potentially becoming the first South Asian and Indian-origin mayor—will be put to the test against a backdrop of significant socio-political turbulence.
image source from：aljazeera
