Socialist New York Metropolis mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani denounced India Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “struggle legal” — and is now being ripped by different metropolis leaders for spreading “hate” in regards to the Hindu head of state.
On the heels of creating equally provocative feedback about Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Mamdani blasted Modi throughout a current mayoral discussion board.
“That is somebody we should always view in the identical method we do Benjamin Netenyahu. It is a struggle legal,” Mamdani mentioned when requested a hypothetical query about whether or not he would meet Modi if the Indian chief visited the Large Apple.
Mamdani, who’s a Muslim of Indian descent, famous that his father Mahmood’s household hails from the Gujarat area of India, the place Modi has been accused of permitting a bloodbath of 1,000 Muslims to go on in 2002. It’s a declare Modi has repeatedly denied.
“Narendra Modi helped to orchestrate what was a mass slaughter of Muslims in Gujarat to the extent that [people] don’t even imagine there are Gujarat Muslims anymore,” Mamdani mentioned in the course of the Could 15 “New Mayor, New Media” occasion sponsored by New York Focus and HellGate NY.
He additionally mentioned persons are “shocked” when he reveals he’s a Gujarat Muslim.
He beforehand slammed two New York politicians of Indian descent — Queens Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar and former state Sen. Kevin Thomas — for being aligned with or not condemning Modi and his ruling Hindu authorities.
In 2020, he criticized different lawmakers of Indian descent for associating with Modi’s regime.
“@JeniferRajkumar ought to return the cash she’s taken from Hindu fascists,” he mentioned in a tweet, referring to the Queens assemblywoman who’s now operating for public advocate.
“@KevinThomasNY ought to acknowledge the terrifying fact of what’s taking place to Muslim Indians,” he added, referring to the previous Lengthy Island state senator.
He additionally mentioned former Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney ought to “resign her affiliation with Modi & condemn the atrocities he’s perpetrated.”
In response, Rajkumar, an Indo-American who’s Hindu, took a swipe at Mamdani.
“At a time when New Yorkers are combating actual points—rising crime, a housing disaster, and rising hate—we can not afford to be distracted by excessive, divisive language about overseas leaders,” Rajkumar mentioned.
“Hinduism is a religion of peace, nonviolence, and interfaith concord. Hindu voters need our leaders to construct bridges—not burn them. We should reject hate—whether or not it comes from the far left or the far proper. Our metropolis deserves leaders who unite, not provoke—who construct coalitions, not headlines,” the lawmaker mentioned in a swipe at Mamdani.
Jaspreet Singh, a Sikh Neighborhood Chief and human rights lawyer, mentioned, “Hate has no place in our metropolis. We imagine in equality, love and respect for all. We imagine all are youngsters of the identical God.
“However Zohran has used his platform to amplify a number of the worst anti-Hindu rhetoric conceivable. Phrases matter, and as a substitute of uniting the Indian group, he seeks to divide us by faith, pitting Muslims and Hindus in opposition to one another. Associating Hindus with fascism and utilizing derogatory phrases in opposition to them is extremely objectionable.”
Singh accused Mamdani of making an attempt to “dehumanize” the Hindu group.
“Hatred serves no function. Individuals who want to serve others in any capability ought to rise above it. He owes the Hindu group an apology and if he cares about human rights, he’ll begin treating us as equals. Any such hateful rhetoric in opposition to our group has no place in New York, not to mention wherever close to the footsteps of Metropolis Corridor.”
Mamdani’s criticism might fire up the 250,000 Indo-Individuals, a lot of whom are Hindus. It wouldn’t be the one massive New York voting block that his feedback and actions have incensed.
Mamdani can be a staunch critic of Israel and helps the boycott divestment and sanctions motion in opposition to the Jewish State, even main “BDS!” chants at a 2021 pro-Palestinian rally.
Jewish civil rights teams such because the Anti-Defamation model the BDS motion as antisemitic for in search of to undermine Israel.
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