<figure> <img alt="New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and Attorney General Letitia James at a press conference." src="https://platform.vox.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/gettyimages-2289733692.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and state Attorney General Letitia James at a press conference on August 12, 2026, in New York City. | Selcu Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">On August 29, 2026, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani commented on an upcoming rally featuring Mohan Bhagwat, a leader of the Hindu nationalist organization Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), scheduled to take place at Madison Square Garden. Mamdani stated, "I don’t support the rally, but I don’t know if the city has any jurisdiction on canceling a private event. It has been incredibly troubling to see the rise of a movement that is predicated on an exclusionary vision of any country, frankly, and so it is one that I find myself in deep opposition to."</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Mamdani's remarks have sparked controversy, with some accusing him of being “Hinduphobic” and biased against Hindus. This follows Mamdani's previous criticisms of Israel and its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which have also led to tensions with Jewish leaders in New York.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Other activists, including Hindu, Muslim, interfaith, and human rights advocates, have protested the event and called for its cancellation. Bhagwat, who leads the RSS, is often described as one of the most influential figures in India, although critics characterize the RSS as a right-wing Hindu nationalist organization accused of promoting intolerance and violence against minorities, particularly Muslims.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Nishant Upadhyay, an associate professor in Asian American studies at the University of Colorado Boulder, provided context on the RSS and its history, stating that it was founded in 1925 with the ideology that India should be exclusively for Hindus. Upadhyay noted that while the RSS claims to promote a Hindu-centric civilizational movement, many see it as a paramilitary organization that has historically targeted religious minorities.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The RSS is considered the largest umbrella organization of Hindu nationalist groups in India, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) serving as its political wing. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Hindu nationalist agenda has gained prominence, leading to increased violence against religious minorities.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Mamdani, who has a mixed heritage of Muslim and Hindu descent, has been vocal against Hindu nationalism. Upadhyay emphasized that Mamdani's critiques focus on the ideology of Hindu nationalism rather than targeting individuals based on their religion.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The conversation surrounding Mamdani's comments highlights the broader issue of the rise of Hindu nationalism in the U.S. and its implications for the Indian diaspora. Upadhyay pointed out that while there is a growing right-wing Hindu diaspora, there are also many individuals and groups within the Indian community who oppose this ideology and advocate for pluralism and secularism.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Mamdani's track record includes consistent criticism of violence against Muslims in India and solidarity with those unjustly incarcerated. His recent comments reflect ongoing tensions within the Indian American community regarding the rise of Hindu nationalism and its impact on social and political dynamics.</p>