Zohran Mamdani on temple run in Diwali, reveals REAL reason why he is critical of Indian PM Modi

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani explained why he is critical of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his temple run on the ocassion of Diwali. Stating that he grew up in an India that celebrated pluralism, Mamdani, who earlier called the Indian PM a ‘war criminal’ said that Modi and the BJP “has room for certain kinds of Indians”. He made the remarks during his outreach to Hindu American voters on Diwali. Earlier, Mamdani had said that Muslims were eradicated from Gujarat during 2022 riots. The mayoral polls are due this November.

"So, I have been critical of Mr. Modi because of the vision that I grew up with was of an India that was pluralistic, an India where everyone belonged, no matter their religion. And my critique has been of Mr. Modi and the BJP political party for their vision of an India that only has room for certain kinds of Indians, and it's part of a belief that pluralism is something to be celebrated, something to be strived for," he said. ""And I also know that I'm running to be the mayor of New York City - eight and a half million people - many of whom may feel differently than me about Mr. Modi, and that's their right, and I will look to represent them all the same, because my responsibility to them as New Yorkers is to ensure that they are safe, to ensure they can afford this city," he added.

Mamdani and his controversies

With the heat of New York mayoral polls rising, Mamdani was on a temple run to woo the Indian-American voters. Last month, he was accused of wearing shoes inside Hindu temples. However, the organisers of Mamdani’s temple visits have refuted the claim, saying the photo was taken outside the sanctum area, where shoes are still permitted. Mamdani, who registered a spectacular victory in New York mayoral primary, identifies as Democratic socialist, currently represents Astoria and Long Island City in the New York State Assembly. He has been in midst of controversies since his campaign began, with US President Donald Trump also calling him "100 percent Lunatic Communist."