New York City mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani has ignited a storm of criticism after labeling Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “war criminal” during a recent candidate forum — remarks that have drawn sharp rebukes from fellow politicians and community leaders who say he is spreading divisive rhetoric and hate.
The Democratic Socialist, who represents Astoria in the New York State Assembly, made the inflammatory comment at a May 15 forum titled “New Mayor, New Media,” hosted by New York Focus and HellGate NY. When asked whether he would meet Modi if the Indian leader were to visit New York City, Mamdani responded firmly: “This is someone we should view in the same manner we do Benjamin Netanyahu. This is a war criminal.”
His comparison of Modi to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu — whom Mamdani has also previously condemned — followed a broader critique of the Indian leader’s alleged role in the 2002 Gujarat riots, during which around 1,000 Muslims were reportedly killed in communal violence. At the time, Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat, and although Indian courts have since cleared him of wrongdoing, accusations persist among critics.
Mamdani, who is of Indian Muslim descent, drew on personal history to emphasize his stance. “Narendra Modi helped to orchestrate what was a mass slaughter of Muslims in Gujarat to the extent that [people] don’t even believe there are Gujarat Muslims anymore,” he said. He revealed that his father’s family is from Gujarat and added that people are often “shocked” when they learn he is a Gujarat Muslim.
His statements echoed past remarks. In 2020, Mamdani criticized prominent Indian-American lawmakers for associating with Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has been accused of promoting a Hindu nationalist agenda at the expense of religious minorities. Among those he singled out were Queens Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar and former state Senator Kevin Thomas.
“@JeniferRajkumar should return the money she’s taken from Hindu fascists,” Mamdani tweeted at the time, directly targeting the now-public advocate candidate. He also wrote, “@KevinThomasNY should acknowledge the terrifying truth of what’s happening to Muslim Indians,” referencing the former Long Island lawmaker.
Mamdani extended his criticism to non-Indian politicians as well. Former Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, he insisted, should “renounce her association with Modi & condemn the atrocities he’s perpetrated.”
These repeated criticisms have led to strong backlash from within the Indian-American community, especially from Hindu leaders and lawmakers who accuse Mamdani of using religion to divide rather than unite.
Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, who is of Indo-American and Hindu heritage, forcefully responded. “At a time when New Yorkers are struggling with real issues—rising crime, a housing crisis, and growing hate—we cannot afford to be distracted by extreme, divisive language about foreign leaders,” she said. “Hinduism is a faith of peace, nonviolence, and interfaith harmony. Hindu voters want our leaders to build bridges—not burn them. We must reject hate—whether it comes from the far left or the far right. Our city deserves leaders who unite, not provoke—who build coalitions, not headlines.”
Her words reflect growing concern among Hindu constituents and Indian Americans, many of whom make up a significant voting bloc in New York City—an estimated 250,000 strong. Critics warn that Mamdani’s remarks risk alienating this community and deepening religious fault lines.
Human rights attorney and Sikh community leader Jaspreet Singh echoed similar sentiments, condemning Mamdani for engaging in what he called harmful religious stereotyping. “Hate has no place in our city. We believe in equality, love and respect for all. We believe all are children of the same God,” Singh said. “But Zohran has used his platform to amplify some of the worst anti-Hindu rhetoric imaginable. Words matter, and instead of uniting the Indian community, he seeks to divide us by religion, pitting Muslims and Hindus against each other. Associating Hindus with fascism and using derogatory words against them is highly objectionable.”
Singh accused Mamdani of promoting a dangerous narrative that seeks to “dehumanize” an entire religious group. “Hatred serves no purpose. People who wish to serve others in any capacity should rise above it. He owes the Hindu community an apology and if he cares about human rights, he’ll start treating us as equals. This type of hateful rhetoric against our community has no place in New York, let alone anywhere near the footsteps of City Hall,” he added.
This isn’t the first time Mamdani’s outspoken views on foreign affairs have made headlines. In addition to his criticism of Modi and the BJP, the legislator is an ardent supporter of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. He has publicly led “BDS!” chants at rallies and repeatedly voiced opposition to the Israeli government’s actions in Palestine.
Jewish civil rights organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), have characterized BDS as antisemitic, arguing that the movement seeks to delegitimize and isolate the Jewish state. Mamdani has brushed off such critiques, maintaining that his activism is driven by human rights concerns rather than animus toward any religious or ethnic group.
But critics contend that Mamdani’s rhetorical style—marked by sharp denunciations and polarizing language—risks alienating not just one community, but several. His controversial comparisons and sweeping accusations have prompted some to question whether his politics of protest are compatible with the responsibilities of mayoral leadership, which requires bridge-building and diplomacy across deeply diverse constituencies.
Despite the backlash, Mamdani has not walked back his comments, remaining unapologetic about his characterizations of Modi and Netanyahu. His defenders argue that speaking truth to power is part of the role of a progressive politician, especially one who seeks to represent marginalized communities.
However, as the mayoral race heats up, Mamdani’s rhetoric may prove to be both a rallying cry for some and a red flag for others. His words have not only ignited debate within the city’s Indian-American population but have also brought into sharp focus the broader challenges of balancing local leadership with global activism.
For now, the fallout from his Modi remarks continues to reverberate across New York’s political landscape, raising questions about how candidates engage with international issues and their impact on multicultural urban electorates.