Online Hate Toward South Asians Spikes After Mamdani’s Win
India-West Staff Reporter
NEW YORK, NY — Anti-South Asian hate in online extremist spaces surged following Zohran Mamdani’s victory in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary in June, new data from Stop AAPI Hate and research group Moonshot shows.
May and June were the third- and fifth-highest months for violent threats against South Asians since tracking began in January 2023, with 44,535 slurs recorded in June alone. Moonshot, which monitors threats of violence and racial slurs in spaces linked to Targeted Violence, said such spikes often signal potential rises in offline hate.
Stop AAPI Hate data also point to other political and geopolitical triggers, including debates over H-1B visas and renewed India–Pakistan tensions. In 2024, 80% of approved H-1B visas went to applicants from South Asian countries, 71% from India.
Researchers said the spike in hate coincided with Mamdani’s campaign and mirrored earlier surges tied to Kamala Harris’s nomination for vice president and Donald Trump’s return to office.
Extremist users frequently linked Mamdani to Muslim political leaders abroad, pushed conspiracy theories about a “Muslim takeover” of U.S. politics, questioned his Americanness, and called for violence.
South Asian American community groups have reported a parallel rise in offline harassment, warning that online rhetoric is spilling over into public life, Stop AAPI Hate said.
Gideon
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Another empty vessel like AOC. Smooth talker, no leasership skill, great at social media manipulation.- that’s where it stops. Running NYC is very complex – it is like running a large fortune 500 company. It is beyond comprehension how a clueless smooth talker with zero skill would manage NYC. Well, NY have a choice – let them elect this man to further destroy one of the most beautiful cities of the world.
August 8, 2025Daljit Singh
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New York City is a city of hope, love, and aspirations of millions of people who first set foot on this big and beautiful land. It is a city of hard-working immigrants who are amplifying the voices of young and progressive people. It does not represent the old, tired message of doom and gloom unless controlled by the privileged, rich, and old guard. Mamdani represents the new, hard-working, hopeful, and young New York. It is time for a change and starting a new chapter.
August 13, 2025