"Zohran Mamdani Faces Islamophobic Backlash and Political Criticism Amid NYC Mayoral Campaign"

Zohran Mamdani, the Indian‑origin New York City politician and Democratic mayoral candidate, has recently been a focal point of both bold commentary and sharp criticism as his campaign gains momentum. Born in Kampala, Uganda, and raised in New York, Mamdani has positioned himself as part of a new generation of progressive, grassroots political figures. His campaign platform emphasises affordable housing, free public transit, immigrant rights and progressive taxation.

In October 2025, during a Diwali outreach in Queens where he visited multiple Hindu temples, Mamdani used the opportunity to critique Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party’s ideology, stating that he grew up believing in a pluralistic India where “everyone belonged, no matter their religion.” Mamdani argued that the BJP‑led vision of India “only has room for certain kinds of Indians.”

Separately, a report by the U.S.‑based civil–rights coalition Equality Labs revealed that more than 1.15 million social‑media posts directed at Mamdani were classified as Islamophobic, with another 1.43 million posts mislabelling him as a communist. The broad reach of these posts suggests a coordinated narrative effort, encompassing xenophobia, Islamophobia and “red‑baiting,” which the report says has been directed specifically at Mamdani’s campaign. Meanwhile, Indian public figures have weighed in critically on Mamdani’s candidacy and remarks. Actor‑member of parliament Kangana Ranaut claimed that Mamdani “sounds more Pakistani than Indian,” and questioned his allegiance to Hindu identity. Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi stated that “when Zohran Mamdani opens his mouth, Pakistan’s PR team takes the day off,” reflecting the fervent discourse his international campaign has sparked in India.

Mamdani’s rise, advocacy and the controversies surrounding him underscore the complex interplay of identity, diaspora politics and progressive platforms in today’s globalised electoral environment.