New Delhi/IBNS: Indian actress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Kangana Ranaut has said Democratic primary for the New York's mayoral race Zohran Mamdani "sounds more Pakistani than Indian" and "is ready to wipe out Hinduism".

Ranaut slammed Mamdani, who is known as a critic of India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after he defeated experienced Andrew Cuomo to become the Democratic nominee.

Kangana on X reposted an old video where Mamdani is seen speaking against the BJP with people in background calling Hindus "ba**ards".

Kangana wrote, "His mother is Mira Nair, one of our best filmmakers, Padmashri , a beloved and celebrated daughter born and raised in great Bharat based in Newyork [sic.], she married Mehmood Mamdani ( Gujarati origin) a celebrated author, and obviously son is named Zohran, he sounds more Pakistani than Indian ….. whatever happened to his Hindu identity or bloodline and now he is ready to wipe out Hinduism, wow!! It’s the same story every where. On a different note met Mira ji on couple of occasions congratulations to the parents."

Mamdani, who is on the way to become the first Muslim, Indian-origin New York Mayor, is the son of Indian-American filmmaker Mira Nair and Mahmood Mamdani, a Ugandan academic, author, and political commentator of Indian ancestry who migrated to USA.

A self-declared activist, the 33-year-old is backed by the Democratic Socialists of America Party.

A member of the New York state assembly, Mamdani, who was largely unknown to the NYC residents until he announced his candidature, secured 43.5% votes as opposed to Cuomo's 36.4%.

Married to Syrian-American artist Rama Duwaji, the Democratic nominee managed to upset a heavyweight like Cuomo by a sizable margin banking on promises like affordable living cost for the residents, free bus rides, free child care, affordable housing et al at the cost of increasing corporate taxes.

Mamdani called Modi a 'war criminal', stirred row

Mamdani, who campaigned in languages like Spanish, Bangla and others, had courted row during campaigning after he called India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi a "war criminal" and also drew a parallel between the latter and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.

"This is someone who we should view in the same manner that we do Benjamin Netanyahu. This is a war criminal," Mamdani had said when he was asked whether he would join Modi at a public rally.

Mamdani also accused Modi of orchestrating the 2002 Gujarat riots citing his family's roots to the state where the current Indian Prime Minister was the Chief Minister when the riots happened.

While his mother is a Hindu, Mamdani chose to highlight himself as a Muslim immigrant during his campaigns and in public life displaying more allegiance to the religion from his father's side.

Mamdani branded anti-Hindu

Mamdani faced backlash for his presence at an August 2020 protest in Times Square, where demonstrators opposed India's Ram Mandir celebrations.

During the protest, some participants reportedly chanted offensive slogans against Hindus and Lord Rama. Mamdani, who was present, did not publicly condemn the hate speech, which critics interpreted as tacit approval.

He also accused the BJP of promoting “Hindutva or Hindu supremacy,” claiming it seeks to erase India’s pluralistic legacy.