Zohran Mamdani joins Hindu festivities, urges unity after Illinois temple plot

Zohran Mamdani joined Hindu New Yorkers for Navratri and Durga Puja celebrations. His appeal for solidarity followed an alleged mass shooting plot at an Illinois temple.Stock photo used for illustrationNewyork,Oct 22, 2026 13:12 ISTNew York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has urged communities to stand against hate and care for one another after joining members of the Hindu diaspora for Navratri and Durga Puja celebrations, Press Trust of India reported. His remarks came days after authorities foiled an alleged plot to carry out a mass shooting at a temple in Illinois.Videos shared on social media showed Mamdani taking part in garba with members of the Indian diaspora and joining prayers and other festive rituals at temples across New York City.“This week, I was blessed to join Hindu New Yorkers in Queens celebrating Navratri, Durga Puja, Dashain, and Vijayadashami,” Mamdani said in a social media post on Wednesday.“We danced garba, performed aarti, witnessed Sindoor Khela, and honoured the Goddess Durga. It was an honour to come together in joy, faith, and community in temples across our city — especially after the attempted mass shooting at a Hindu temple in Illinois last week,” he said. “May we all join together in our shared responsibility to stand against hate and care for one another. Jai Mata Ki,” the mayor added.According to Press Trust of India, Mamdani's remarks came amid concerns over rising anti-Hindu hate in the US and after the arrest of a 19-year-old accused of planning an attack on a Hindu place of worship in the Aurora area of Illinois. Alexandros Paporakis of Palatine was arrested after allegedly attempting to attack the temple on October 11. He has been charged with one count of making a terrorist threat and one count of unlawful possession of weapons.Authorities said the alleged attack was foiled after the suspect's rifle jammed at the temple, forcing him to return home. The incident has been condemned by US lawmakers, political leaders and civil society organisations, which have called for action to address rising anti-Hindu and anti-Indian hate in the country.Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, who represents Illinois, said he and his family were at the Aurora temple when the teenager arrived, allegedly intending to carry out a mass shooting.Navratri is a Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and her various forms and is marked by prayers, fasting and community celebrations. Durga Puja, which is particularly prominent among Bengali Hindus, commemorates the victory of good over evil.Mamdani's participation in the celebrations and his appeal for communities to oppose hate followed the alleged temple attack plot in Illinois, which has renewed calls to address anti-Hindu and anti-Indian hate in the US.With PTI Inputs- Ends