Zohran Mamdani is probably going to be the first South Asian and Indian -born mayor of New York. But this unique identity has now turned him into the target of India's Hindu group and Modi supporters. Since the Democratic Party's candidate in New York City's primary elections on June 23, he has started widespread criticism and propaganda against him. In particular, Muslim identity and criticism of the Modi government have raised him to the BJP and expatriate Hindu right -wing.
The 6 -year -old Mama is being attacked on social media as jihadist, Islamist, anti -India. A group of New Jersey -based 'Indian Americans for Cooomo' also filed a banner by writing the message 'Safe New York City Global Infida, Recrete Mamdani' in the sky in New York.
“It is an attempt to present the entire Muslim community as a criminal, not just Mamdani,” said Kayla Baset, director of the Washington-based research program Center for Study of Organized Hate.
India's BJP MP Kangana Ranaut recently said in an X post, “Hearing his words, it seems more than Pakistani, not Indian. His (Johran Mamdani) mother Mira Nayar. One of our best filmmakers. Padma Shri Award. Dear and renowned daughter is born and grew up in great India. Now live in New York. He was married to the famous author Mehmud Mamdani (who is of Gujarati descent). Their son's name is Johran – which takes more Pakistani than Indians. Whatever the genre of his Hindu identity or clan, he is now trying to wipe out Hinduism. '
India's influential Pro-BJP TV channel today-Taq Johran has aired a special report on Mamdani. There they claimed that Mamdani received money from the anti -India organization. The report also expressed concern over the growth of the Muslim population in New York.
Zohran Mamdani has always portrayed himself as a human rights activist. He has attacked the Modi government several times, demanding the release of the Riots of Riots, Babri Masjid, and the imprisoned activist Umar Khalid in Gujarat, India. At a meeting of the Town Hall recently, Mamdani said, 'Narendra Modi is a war criminal. The massacre of Muslims in Gujarat was so horrible that many do not believe, Gujarati still has Muslims. ' He made it clear that if Modi came to New York again, he would not attend any meeting with him.
Professor Rohit Chopra of Santa Clara University believes that the Hindutva Mahal is always silent with the Gujarat riots in 2002. But when someone like Mamdani reminds them of it, they are outraged.
In addition, according to data from the Pew Research Center, the annual income of 5 percent of the Indian Hindu families has earned more than $ 1.3 million and 5 percent postgraduate degree, which has turned the expatriate Hindu society into an elite class. This class always feels uncomfortable about representative leaders like Mamdani.
However, despite the criticism, Johran Mamdani has gained huge popularity among South Asian and Muslim voters. In the initial election, he defeated Andrew Cuomo by 5 percent of the vote.
“It was a seismic (earthquake-like) victory,” said Arvind Rajagopal, a professor at New York University. His linguistics – Mamdani Spanish, Hindi, Urdu and Bangla also know a bit, this is what made him a rare leader. ' He added, “With Trump being president for the second term, anti -Muslim statements in the United States will increase again. In that reality, the most effective answer to the obvious candidate like Mamdani is the most effective answer. '
“A large part of the criticism has come from outside the city,” said Jagprit Singh, political director of the New York City organization DSIS Rising Up and Moving. The Hindu and South Asian community in New York has already adopted him. ' He said that Mamdani participated in the local Durgam Mandir, Nepali Cultural Center, and even the Guyanis and Trinidian Hindus. He also presented a bill to recognize Deepabali as the state government's holiday.
Zohran Mamdani has made itself popular in all three pillars-Muslim identity, opposition to the Modi government and representation of the South Asian Poor-middle class community. His victory is becoming a significant message not only in New York politics but also in expatriate Indian society and global politics. In such a situation, the anger of Modi supporters against Mamdani, obviously highlighting their Muslim hatred.
