By Ramya Ramakrishnan
We are in the midst of a huge political turmoil in the United States. The newly ballooned disdain towards Asians, especially Indian Americans, exposes some deep rooted racism in their fellow countrymen. Even accomplished Indian Americans including CEOs, entrepreneurs and political leaders born and raised here haven’t been spared. This racism also stems from ignorance and bias based on ancestry and faith. Hindu Americans who have lived here all their lives, following their traditions and faiths have been subject to attacks, told to “go back to India” and routinely ridiculed for their beliefs, by people on the right side of the political spectrum. This should be a matter of grave concern for every American citizen, whether one is black, white, or brown, and identifies as Asian American or not.
But ignoring and not also calling out the selective outrage by the far left is irresponsible and unfair to this discussion. The far left, which is portrays itself inclusive, embracing all immigrants and accepting of everyone, clearly and routinely demonstrates its double-standards. They have not taken a stance against the growing anti-Hindu hate that has been steadily increasing. Instead, they have been supporting policies that single out and target the Hindu community, policies that cleverly masquerade as anti-discriminatory legislation on the surface while full of alarming agendas. Far left folks seem unperturbed by the fact that more than half a dozen Hindu temples in the US have been vandalized just in the last couple of years, with highly inappropriate and obnoxious graffiti scribbled on the temple walls and signs. Not a peep! Now imagine the outcry if mosques had been vandalized and subject to targeted hate.
Many from the far left side of the spectrum have a problem with immigrants who are pro-merit, affluent and successful in their careers, because of their sheer hard work and talents, not because of freebies. Mamdami, a far left socialist falls into this category and has already proved himself to be a charlatan from his actions and speeches. Even if one ignores his lack of experience managing large projects, which is a huge red flag by itself for a city like New York, his socialist agenda filled with handouts: free childcare, free transportation, city run grocery stores, rent freeze etc. These promises sound great in a speech, but are next to impossible to implement, and bound to fail.
But more on Mamdani’s hypocrisy: New York City is home to America’s largest Jewish community, with more than one million Jews currently calling NYC their home. Hindus make up two percent of the population and several other faiths are part of the city’s diverse fabric. The city is vibrant, culturally rich and deserves a unifying leader who will represent every community in an equitable manner. Mamdani hasn’t indicated that he is the kind of leader who will stand up against attacks targeted at all faiths, especially Jews, or have the moral courage to call out anti-Hindu hatred and show zero tolerance for bigotry. Mamdani made it clear during his victory speech that his focus would be Islamophobia, not surprising considering his own Muslim faith. His promise to fight antisemitism, though, fell flat, with his actions and words leading up the election telling a completely different story. His campaign sowed deep division and did nothing to promote unity among different faiths. In the past week, his mealy-mouthed both-sidesing of an anti-Israel demonstration outside a synagogue in Manhattan clearly illustrate this.
Mamdani’s rise in politics has been a huge concern for many, including Muslim leaders who didn’t support him and chose to be vocal against his policies. There were several warnings about his antisemitic stance, including making excuses for violent slogans like “Globalize the Intifada.”
Bronx imam Sheikh Musa Drammeh vowed to organize a mission of Muslim leaders to Israel to model interfaith engagement following Mamdani’s debate pledge to not go there. Drammeh has dedicated much of his life to building bridges between Jews, Muslims and Christians in the Bronx, as well as fighting extremism and antisemitism.
Soraya Deen, an award-winning Muslim leader, lawyer and activist, had warned her community about Mamdani and wrote, “When Anti-Jewish crimes accounted for more than half of the total hate crimes in NYC, fermenting divisions is not the leadership New Yorkers need.” Deen and her Jewish friend Tali Gillette, both of whom are co-founders of Demonstrate Hope, not Hate national movement and education initiative, wrote, “ Too many in power treat our communities as chess pieces, claiming to speak for us.”
Asra Nomani, a well known Muslim feminist leader, journalist and author had warned everyone about Mamdani’s “Godsquad” filled with radical clerics, activists and political operatives who cheered gleefully when Hamas terrorists murdered more than 1200 innocent men, women and children on October 7th. These same groups and individuals cry Islamophobia and have mastered the art of playing victim while instigating and sometimes openly engaging in violent rhetoric against the US, Israel, and capitalism. They want to have the freedom to carry signs that say “Intifada NYC” and anyone who criticizes them will be quickly labeled an islamophobe and silenced.
Mamdani has been surrounded with, nurtured, supported and funded by these key players. He has willingly and enthusiastically associated himself with several radical Islamists including the extremist-linked imam Siraj Wahhaj, an unindicted co-conspirator in the 1993 WTC bombing trial, a supporter of Hamas, and has a history of vile anti-gay sentiments, including refering to homosexuality as a “disease”.
Mamdani attempted to normalize extremism through the individuals and groups he chose to seek endorsements from, while openly making disparaging comments about the democratically elected prime minister of India, Narendra Modi, whom he said he would arrest if he visited New York.
He has cited the same recycled, false narratives on the plight of minority faiths, especially Muslims in India claiming to be under attack, while it is clear for the world to see how Muslims, Christians, Jews and other religions in India have flourished for centuries enjoying freedom, rights and respect.
Mamdani led a mob of protestors in Times Square where the chants referred to Hindus as “harami” (bastards) and has criticized New York State Assemblywoman Jennifer Rajkumar, the first Hindu American elected to the body, as a puppet of Hindu nationalists.
The far left has a problem with Hindu Americans, whom they label fascists just because they are proud Hindus. Individuals and leaders are harassed and attacked using smear tactics and terms like Hindutva are weaponized and hurled at them because they are simply proud of their Hindu identity. The far left sure doesn’t have a problem collaborating with or endorsing radical Islamists and antisemites who hate the LGBTQ community. This disingenuous virtue signaling doesn’t sit well with centrists who want to elect moderate, sensible and impartial candidates, no matter which political party they associate with.
More than 1100 American rabbis across the country signed a letter warning that the safety of Jews is at risk if Mamdani gets elected. Mamdani has said that Israel only has the right to exist as a Jewish state if it has equal rights for all. Why doesn’t he say the same thing about officially Muslim countries such as Pakistan or Bangladesh where Hindus, Christians and other minorities are subject to frequent human rights abuses? His silence and selective outrage speaks volumes.
A large percentage of Mamdani’s vote base is made up of young, privileged New Yorkers, who want to find fault with the system that has given them this privilege. Mamdani too is a product of this privilege, being the son of acclaimed film director Mira Nair and a Columbia professor, and having attended Bowdoin College, where tuition now costs $71,000 per year. He is far from the common man that he has sold himself to be, and it is tragic that so many New Yorkers bought into his facade.
New York city needs a unifier not a divider, and Mamdani doesn’t seem to fit the bill. Several interfaith leaders, advocacy organizations and policy makers will be closely watching to see what kind of a leader he will turn out to be. We will not be holding our breath!
