A coalition of Indian American and Hindu diaspora organisations across the United States has strongly condemned New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani for what it described as “Hinduphobic actions and statements.” In an open letter dated October 10, 2025, the groups accused Mamdani of promoting “bigotry and bias” against Hindus, citing multiple incidents spanning several years.The letter, signed by over 20 prominent organisations, stated that Mamdani’s rhetoric had “caused great pain to many New Yorkers of Hindu faith” and questioned his ability to engage with the community in good faith. The controversy has reignited a wider debate about faith, politics, and representation in New York’s multicultural electorate.

Hindu groups call remarks ‘divisive and dangerous’

The coalition included Americans4Hindus, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA), the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), the Federation of Hindu Mandirs, HinduPACT, the India Association of Los Angeles, and South Asians for Empowerment, among others.In their joint statement, the signatories said that while they respected freedom of expression, “a public official must not use free speech to spread misinformation and endorse bigotry against an entire community.” The letter accused Mamdani of “blatant bigotry and Hinduphobia,” asserting that his words and actions were “divisive, discriminatory and unbecoming of a leader seeking to represent one of the most diverse cities in the world.”

Detailed allegations from the open letter

The document outlined several key examples of behaviour the groups found unacceptable:Rally remarks in 2020: Mamdani reportedly attended a rally where organisers used anti-Hindu slurs, calling Hindus “dishonest thieves who should go drink cow urine.” The groups said Mamdani “failed to denounce these dehumanising comments” and accused him of legitimising such speech through silence.Attack on Hindu lawmaker: The letter also referenced Mamdani’s alleged description of Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, the first Hindu elected to the New York State Legislature, as a “puppet of Hindu fascists.” The signatories said this “vilified a respected lawmaker” and contributed to conspiracy theories about Hindu leaders.Comments on India’s Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA): The coalition disputed Mamdani’s claim that the CAA represented “an attempt to strip Muslims of their citizenship.” The letter argued the CAA was intended to protect persecuted minorities — including Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Christians — from neighbouring countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.Failure to address attacks on temples: The letter criticised Mamdani for not condemning repeated attacks and vandalism at Tulsi Mandir in Queens and other Hindu temples in the United States, accusing him of selective silence.Support for caste-based legislation: The organisations also objected to Mamdani’s co-sponsorship of New York Assembly Bill 6920, which seeks to include “caste” as a protected category in anti-discrimination laws. The letter said the bill “unfairly associates caste with Hindus and people of Indian origin,” warning it could “profile Hindus and violate their civil rights.”

Temple visits intensify the backlash

Just weeks before the letter’s release, Mamdani had visited two Hindu temples in Flushing, Queens, including the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, during Navratri celebrations. He described the visits as a way to “connect with the Hindu heritage of my maternal family,” referencing his mother, filmmaker Mira Nair, who was born into a Hindu family in India.However, the letter dismissed the gesture as “performative,” saying that Mamdani “cannot seek the blessings of the Hindu faith while simultaneously endorsing narratives that vilify its followers.” The authors accused him of “using the community for photo opportunities while advancing policies that harm Hindus.”

Call for inclusivity and accountability

The letter concluded by stating that “anyone who aspires to be the mayor of the largest city in America must ensure they stand against hate and bigotry and make New York City a place that welcomes all.” The signatories expressed “no confidence” in Mamdani’s ability to represent the Hindu community and called on all political candidates to ensure that New York “remains a place that welcomes people of every faith.”