How Zohran Mamdani Ended Up in a Fight Over Hindu Nationalism

Zohran Mamdani, the mayor of New York City, has found himself at the center of a controversy surrounding an upcoming event at Madison Square Garden featuring Mohan Bhagwat, a leader of the Indian organization Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The RSS is a Hindu nationalist group affiliated with India’s ruling party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and its influence extends far beyond the subcontinent.

The debate over Mamdani’s stance on Bhagwat’s visit highlights the complex web of relationships between Indian nationalism, diaspora communities, and the politics of identity in America. This controversy is not just about one person or community; it’s about the insidious spread of exclusionary ideologies that threaten the very fabric of our society.

The RSS was founded in 1925 with the express goal of creating an Indian state “for Hindus.” The organization has a long and bloody history of promoting intolerance, violence, and discrimination against minority communities – particularly Muslims. The BJP’s ascent to power in 2014 marked a turning point in this trajectory, as Modi and his cohorts began to systematically dismantle India’s secular democratic institutions.

The RSS’s influence extends far beyond India’s borders, with diaspora communities serving as key nodes in the global Hindu nationalist network. Groups like American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue, which are organizing Bhagwat’s visit, present themselves as champions of interfaith dialogue and multiculturalism. However, critics argue that this is a carefully crafted facade designed to obscure the RSS’s true intentions.

Mamdani, who is Muslim and has Hindu ancestry on his mother’s side, has been vocal in his criticism of Bhagwat and the RSS. His stance has sparked accusations of “Hinduphobia” from some quarters, but it’s hard to square this with the mayor’s commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in New York City.

The rise of Hindu nationalism poses a significant challenge to our understanding of identity, community, and belonging in America. The RSS is not a benevolent force for good; it’s a right-wing paramilitary organization with a long history of promoting intolerance and violence. Its influence on diaspora communities must be acknowledged, and its insidious spread challenged.

The implications are far-reaching, extending beyond the bounds of New York City or even the United States. As India’s democratic institutions continue to erode, we can expect to see more of these events unfold in America, as Hindu nationalist groups seek to project their ideology onto the global stage.

This development has significant consequences for our democracy. We must remain vigilant in the face of exclusionary ideologies and challenge those who would seek to divide us along lines of identity or faith. It’s time to confront the reality of Hindu nationalism’s long shadow in America – a reality that threatens to upend our understanding of community, identity, and belonging.

The fight for our democracy is far from over; indeed, it may just be beginning. As we navigate this complex landscape, we must recognize the RSS’s true nature and push back against its insidious spread. The stakes are high, but so too is our potential to shape the future of our democracy.