New York City’s mayoral race has taken a contentious turn as Zohran Mamdani, an Indian-origin Assemblyman and a prominent progressive figure, is under fire for his vehement criticism of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Recently, Mamdani referred to Modi as a ‘war criminal’ during a public event, igniting a backlash that reverberates among Indian communities both in the United States and abroad. His comments, which draw a parallel between Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reportedly stem from his belief that Modi's actions against Muslims in India have been egregious.

Mamdani, who secured his position as the Democratic candidate for mayor, garnered 43.5 percent of the vote in a recent primary, marking a significant milestone in his political career. If successful in the upcoming election, he would make history as New York's first Muslim mayor. However, many critics argue that his statements have crossed the line from legitimate political dissent to what some label as disinformation and ideological bigotry, especially at a time when the Indian-American community is increasingly vocal about their identity and rights.

The controversy escalated when Mamdani claimed he would refuse to share a stage with Modi, stating, "This is someone who we should view in the same manner that we do Benjamin Netanyahu. This is a war criminal." He further provoked outrage by asserting that his identity as a Gujarati Muslim is often met with disbelief because of Modi’s supposed actions against Muslims, claiming, "Modi killed so many that people don’t even believe we exist anymore." These remarks were met with fierce criticism from leaders across the Indian political spectrum, with Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi suggesting that Mamdani’s rhetoric is effectively aiding India’s adversaries.

Critics assert that Mamdani’s claims about Modi having ‘wiped out’ Gujarati Muslims are not only unfounded but also harmful. Gujarat’s demographic data from 2021 indicates that Muslims constitute around 10% of the state's population, contradicting Mamdani’s assertions of demographic erasure. Political analyst Omer Ghazi condemned Mamdani's statements as provocative and factually incorrect, asserting that they insult the vibrant Muslim population in Gujarat.

On social media, Mamdani has been branded as the “Jehadi Mayor of New York,” with netizens accusing him of promoting extremist narratives while masquerading as a progressive voice. His refusal to denounce harmful slogans uttered by protestors against Hindus during a 2020 rally has also drawn criticism. Eyewitness accounts from that event reported chants derogatory towards Hindus, and Mamdani's subsequent silence has been perceived as an endorsement of such rhetoric.

High-profile figures have joined the fray as well. Notably, actress Kangana Ranaut questioned Mamdani’s identity, pointing out his family's roots in India and suggesting that he has distanced himself from his heritage in favor of a more radical stance. Mamdani’s past tweets have resurfaced, revealing a long-standing pattern of provocative statements regarding Hindu nationalism and communal tensions in India, which have only fueled the fire of controversy surrounding his candidacy.

As Mamdani positions himself as a progressive voice in the mayoral race, the growing discontent amongst Indian-Americans and other communities suggests that his remarks may have significant implications for his political aspirations. Many are calling for a reassessment of his rhetoric that, they argue, exploits communal wounds and fosters division rather than unity.