Indian-born New York lawmaker Jenifer Rajkumar criticized Mira Nair’s child Zohran Mamdani, the Socialist Party candidate for New York’s gubernatorial election, for a new speech made at a public forum against India’s prime minister Narendra Modi. He was asked at the website a speculative question at which point he might be asked: If Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a protest in Madison Square Garden and then decides to tackle a joint press conference with the New York mayor, had he attend? Ahmadi, who was born in India, said he won’t join because both of his parents, both of whom were Indian, had a strong connection to India. Mahdani went on to explain his response, saying that his father is a Gujarati Muslim, and then compared the Indian prime minister to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Such divisive language about foreign leaders should not have a place in the New York mayoral election, according to Jennifer Rajkumar, who vehemently refrained from using it in the context of real issues. We cannot afford to be stifled by extreme, divisive language about foreign leaders, Rajkumar told the New York Post.” We cannot afford to be distracted by extreme, divisive language at a time when New Yorkers are struggling with real issues—rising crime, a housing crisis, and growing hate,” she said. Hinduism refers to as a religion of peace, non-violence, and interfaith harmony. Hindu voters want our leaders to build bridges rather than burn them. Whether it is from the extreme left or the extreme right, hate must be suppressed. Our city deserves leaders who work together, not provoke, who form coalitions, not make headlines, Rajkumar said. Hasspreet Singh, a leader in the Sikh community and advocate for human rights, told the NYP,” Hate has no place in our city. We firmly believe in universal love, respect, and equality. Although we think there are no two children of the same god, Zohran has used his platform to amplify some of the worst anti-Hindu rants. Words matter, and instead of bringing the Indian community together, he attempts to divide us by religion, pitting Muslims and Hindus against one another. It is very objectionable to associate Hindus with fascism and to use offensive language at their expense. Mamdani, a vehement critic of the BJP, in 2020 led a crowd of protesters who called Hindus” stouts.”
