New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a Muslim, has drawn sharp criticism after saying he would not support a Hindu event in Manhattan where the leader of a group tied to India’s ruling party is set to speak.
Asked whether the event featuring Mohan Bhagwat, head of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), should be canceled, Mamdani said he opposes the gathering but conceded the city may lack legal authority to block it.
“I don’t support the rally, but I don’t know if the city has any jurisdiction to cancel a private event,” Mamdani said, according to comments reported by the Daily Wire. He went on to describe the vision of India he says he was raised with — “a pluralistic society of a secular republic that believed in the belonging of each and every person who was from India” — and expressed concern about the rise of a movement “predicated on an exclusionary vision.”
Critics Allege Double Standard
The Daily Wire’s report frames Mamdani’s stance as part of a broader pattern, suggesting he consistently targets groups he perceives as anti-Muslim while ignoring historical context. The outlet points to centuries of documented violence against Hindus, including medieval raids by Mahmud of Ghazni, the 1921 Moplah Rebellion in Malabar, and the 1946 Direct Action Day massacres, as well as the modern forced exile of Kashmiri Hindus by Islamist militants.
The piece accuses Mamdani of applying a double standard, vilifying religious groups that aren’t part of his political base. It notes his focus on Israel’s policies while remaining quiet on human rights abuses in Iran, and his decision to skip the Israel Day parade while marching in Pakistan Independence Day celebrations.
The report also highlights Mamdani’s hosting of Mahmoud Khalil — a figure targeted for deportation over alleged ties to terror-related propaganda — at a Ramadan dinner at Gracie Mansion earlier this year.
Event Details and Jurisdiction Question
The event in question, featuring RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, is organized by Hindu American groups. Bhagwat’s organization is described by the Daily Wire as the ideological parent of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Mamdani’s remarks leave open the question of whether the event will proceed, as city officials have not indicated any plans to intervene. Legal experts note that private events are generally protected under the First Amendment, making cancellation unlikely absent a clear public safety threat.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions within New York City’s diverse religious communities over how local officials balance cultural expression and political criticism.
Source: www.dailywire.com — https://www.dailywire.com/news/mamdani-takes-aim-at-hindu-group-over-exclusionary-vision