Mamdani has publicly condemned Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a “war criminal” and comparing his government to “fascist” regimes—a line of criticism that has drawn strong rebuke from Hindu and Sikh community leaders. The New York mayoral candidate has also, in a 2020 protest in Times Square opposing the Ram Mandir construction in Ayodhya, joined demonstrators among whose ranks chants hostile to Hindus were heard.
Members of the Indian diaspora in New York have said that instead of focusing on local priorities like housing, crime, and public services, Mamdani’s rhetoric has frequently drawn attention back to conflicts originating in South Asia. Jennifer Rajkumar, the first Hindu-American in the New York State Assembly, has criticised him for what she described as divisive rhetoric, especially when many consider that New York’s challenges are more immediate and local in nature. Jaspreet Singh, a Sikh community leader, has accused him of “pitting Hindus against Muslims” and said that associating an entire faith with extremist ideology is harmful.
Some critics object not to Mamdani’s faith or background but to what they perceive as misleading framings. Indu Viswanathan, a Hindu and longtime New Yorker, has publicly challenged claims made by Mamdani about the status of Muslims in Gujarat, arguing that his narrative distorts facts. She also criticised the way identity politics is mobilised by both supporters and detractors of Mamdani.
Mamdani’s defenders point to his multicultural background—born in Uganda, his mother Hindu, his father Muslim—and argue that his engagement in issues related to Hindutva, religious nationalism, and India is part of a broader progressive platform. They say that criticism sometimes conflates critique of political ideology with an attack on Hindu identity. Mamdani has explicitly rejected “rhetoric targeting Hindus” and insists his campaign aims to protect every New Yorker regardless of religion.
Observers note a wide divergence in sentiment among Hindu-Americans. Some express disappointment or alarm at what they view as hate or stereotyping, while others say Mamdani’s focus on global justice and immigrant rights resonates, especially in South Asian and racially diverse districts. Polling in areas with large Hindu populations shows both concern over his rhetoric and support for his broader policy platform.