Zohran Mamdani renews PM Modi's criticism on Diwali: 'They've room for certain kinds of Indians'

New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani (Courtesy: Reuters photo)

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has once again criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his outreach to Hindu American community on Diwali, saying he grew up in an India that celebrated pluralism.

“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,” Mamdani said as he visited several Hindu temples in Queens for the festival of lights.

The mayoral candidate, however, sought to reach out to those who did not share his views on the prime minister, saying he would treat them with the same respect -- something he said was instilled in him “growing up in a pluralistic society.”

“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 and to ensure they are not just protected but are celebrated in that city,” he said.

This, however, is not the first time that Mamdani has called out PM Modi. After his victory in the Democratic mayoral primary earlier this year, an old video resurfaced which showed him attacking the PM over the 2002 Gujarat riots. Mamdani also called Modi a “war criminal” in the past.

A 33-year-old New York state assemblyman and self-declared socialist, Mamdani remains the front-runner in the polls ahead of the November 4 election to decide who the next mayor of America’s most populous city would be.

As the New York mayoral polls draw near, Mamdani has stepped up efforts to connect with voters from every section of the city, which hosts the country’s biggest Indian American population.