Adams Quietly Withdraws From Event Featuring Hindu Nationalist Known for Anti-Muslim Hate Speech

NYC mayor was set to be guest of honor at Queens gathering with activist who has called for violence against Muslims

New York City Mayor Eric Adams quietly withdrew Wednesday from a planned event featuring Kajal Singhala, a prominent Hindu nationalist activist with an extensive documented record of delivering hate speeches against Muslims and calling for their economic boycott. Adams was scheduled to appear as the guest of honor at the Queens gathering next week, but pulled out after New York Focus inquired about his participation, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.

The withdrawal comes as Adams faces a heated reelection battle against Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, a progressive Muslim state legislator who has become a lightning rod for controversy over his positions on Israel-Palestine issues. The incident highlights the delicate political dynamics surrounding religious and ethnic communities in New York City, where Adams must navigate relationships with diverse constituencies while running as an independent candidate.

A Record of Hate Speech and Violence Incitement

Kajal Singhala, also known as Kajal Hindustani, has been identified by India Hate Lab as one of the most prolific hate speakers in India in recent years. According to research data, Singhala delivered 35 in-person hate speeches in 2023 alone, with nine of those including explicit calls for violence. The pattern continued in 2024, when she gave 23 hate speeches, including four with direct calls to violence and ten advocating for the economic boycott of Muslims.

"Through her public talks, she openly calls for violence against Muslims and aggressively enjoins Hindus to boycott Muslims socially and economically."

Singhala's inflammatory rhetoric has consistently targeted Muslim communities with conspiracy theories and dehumanising language. At a 'Hindu Janakrosh Morcha' rally in Mumbai, she referred to Muslims using derogatory terms and explicitly called for economic discrimination against the community. She has promoted the debunked conspiracy theory that Muslim vegetable vendors inject chemicals into produce to render Hindu men infertile, claiming they are part of a broader plot to "destroy Hindu generations".

The activist's speeches frequently invoke what she calls the "clarion call" that "Hindus are in danger" and promote the great replacement conspiracy theory that Muslims are on a mission to transform India into an Islamic nation by 2047. Her rhetoric has extended beyond Muslims to include Christians, whom she accuses of illegal conversions while using pejorative terms like "Father Wala".

A Pattern of Transnational Hate

Singhala's influence extends beyond India's borders, with documented appearances at events in the United States that have sparked concern among civil rights organizations. In June 2025, she delivered hate speech targeting Dallas Muslims at an event organized by two U.S.-based Hindu nationalist nonprofits, the Global Hindu Heritage Foundation and the Sakal Hindu Samaj.

During the Dallas event, Singhala made direct calls for economic discrimination against Muslims, urging attendees to "support Hindu carpenters, milkmen, plumbers, electricians, and others, and not giving business to jihadis [slur for Muslims] to save a few rupees, because that money could be used to harm your fathers and brothers".

The Dallas chapter of the Indian American Muslim Council and interfaith partners strongly condemned the event, with civil rights groups calling for federal investigation and visa revocation. The incident marked what advocacy organizations described as the latest example of the transnational spread of religious extremism from India to American communities.

Adams vs. Mamdani: A Contentious Race

The scheduling of Adams' appearance alongside Singhala comes amid an increasingly bitter mayoral campaign between the incumbent mayor and Mamdani, who secured the Democratic nomination in an upset victory over former Governor Andrew Cuomo. The race has been marked by personal attacks and controversies that have exposed deep tensions within New York City's diverse political landscape.

Adams has repeatedly criticized Mamdani's refusal to condemn the phrase "Globalize the intifada," despite the assemblyman's insistence that he doesn't use the term. During a Fox Business interview, Adams argued that Mamdani's "unwillingness to apologize" represents a fatal flaw for leading an international city.

"This is an international city, and you must be able to maintain relationships with the international community. Not only [Mamdani's] unwillingness to do global intifada, but his unwillingness to apologize for mocking Hanukkah, just the unwillingness of just saying, 'I'm wrong.'"

The mayor has also questioned Mamdani's racial identity claims, calling for Columbia University to release the assemblyman's admission records after allegations surfaced about his stated background on a college application. Adams characterized Mamdani's actions as "an insult to every student who got into college the right way".

The Event and the Withdrawal

The Queens event featuring Singhala was organized by local Hindu nationalist groups and heavily promoted Adams as the guest of honor. Promotional materials described the gathering as an opportunity to hear from "a special, good speaker for Hinduism," with one organizer stating: "Kajal is a special, good speaker for Hinduism, and I think, as a Hindu, I should promote her".

Adams' withdrawal came swiftly after New York Focus contacted the mayor's office for comment about his planned participation. The mayor's office has not provided a public statement explaining the decision to pull out of the event, and Adams' representatives did not respond to requests for comment.

The quick reversal suggests sensitivity within the Adams administration to the potential political fallout from associating with a figure known for hate speech, particularly given the mayor's stated commitment to religious tolerance and his efforts to court diverse constituencies in his reelection campaign.

Political Implications and Community Reactions

The incident has generated significant reaction on social media, with critics questioning Adams' judgment and the vetting process for his public appearances. Drop Site News reported that Adams "quietly withdrew" from the event, emphasizing the lack of public explanation for the decision.

The controversy occurs within a broader context of tensions between different religious and ethnic communities in New York City. Adams has previously faced criticism for his handling of interfaith relations, including controversy over his participation in the 2024 India Day Parade, which featured a float representing a Hindu temple built on the site of a destroyed 16th-century mosque.

During that controversy, Adams stated that "the city's open to everyone and there's no room for hate," adding that if there is "a float or a person in the parade that is promoting hate, they should not" participate. The statement takes on new significance given his planned appearance with Singhala.

The Broader Context of Hindu Nationalism in America

The Singhala event reflects broader concerns about the transnational spread of Hindu nationalist ideology to American communities. Civil rights organizations have documented increasing incidents of hate speech and discrimination targeting Muslim Americans by groups affiliated with the Hindu nationalist movement.

The ideology, known as Hindutva, promotes the idea that India should be a Hindu nation and often portrays Muslims and Christians as foreign elements threatening Hindu identity. In the United States, these ideas have sometimes manifested in community tensions and discriminatory actions against Muslim Americans and other minority groups.

"The proposed float for the parade is a blatant attempt to glorify the illegal demolition of the historical Babri Mosque and celebrate ongoing violence and terror against 200 million Indian Muslims. This is not merely a cultural display but a vulgar celebration of anti-Muslim hate, bigotry, and religious supremacy."

This statement from interfaith groups regarding the 2024 India Day Parade controversy illustrates the concerns that religious minorities have about the normalization of Hindu nationalist symbols and messaging in American civic life.

Legal and Civil Rights Implications

The incident raises questions about the responsibilities of public officials when it comes to vetting their public appearances and associations. While Adams withdrew from the event, the episode highlights the challenges faced by politicians in diverse cities when navigating complex religious and ethnic dynamics.

Civil rights organizations have noted that hate speech by foreign nationals in the United States can have visa implications and may warrant federal investigation. The Dallas event featuring Singhala prompted calls for such scrutiny, though it's unclear whether federal authorities have taken action.

The Maharashtra state government in India has also faced pressure to take action against Singhala's hate speech activities. Citizens for Justice and Peace filed a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer seeking registration of an FIR against Singhala for Model Code of Conduct violations due to her inflammatory rhetoric during election periods.

Adams' Record on Religious Freedom

The controversy comes as Adams faces scrutiny over his approach to religious freedom and interfaith relations. The mayor has positioned himself as a defender of religious liberty, but critics argue that his actions don't always match his rhetoric.

Adams is running as an independent candidate despite initially winning office as a Democrat, a decision that has created additional complexity in his relationships with various community groups. His campaign has emphasized his commitment to serving all New Yorkers regardless of background, but incidents like the Singhala event raise questions about his judgment and commitment to those principles.

The Vetting Process Question

The rapid withdrawal raises questions about the vetting process for the mayor's public appearances. How did Adams' team initially approve his participation in an event featuring a speaker with such an extensive record of hate speech? The lack of public explanation from the mayor's office has left these questions unanswered.

Political observers note that in an era of social media and instant information sharing, public officials face greater scrutiny of their associations and appearances. The Adams incident illustrates how quickly controversies can emerge and force rapid reversals of planned activities.

Impact on the Mayoral Race

The Singhala controversy adds another layer to an already contentious mayoral race. While Adams has repeatedly attacked Mamdani over his positions on Israel-Palestine issues and his refusal to condemn certain phrases, the Hindu nationalist event highlights the complex dynamics of religious and ethnic politics in New York City.

Mamdani's campaign has not immediately responded to the controversy, but the incident could provide ammunition for critics of Adams' approach to interfaith relations. The Democratic nominee has faced his own controversies, including questions about his racial identity claims and his positions on various Middle East issues.

Religious Politics in NYC

The Adams-Singhala incident reflects broader tensions within American cities as they grapple with imported religious and ethnic conflicts. New York City, with its diverse population including significant Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, and Christian communities, serves as a microcosm of these challenges.

The incident also highlights the growing influence of transnational religious movements in American politics. As global conflicts and ideologies increasingly manifest in local communities, public officials face new challenges in maintaining unity and preventing the importation of hate-based ideologies.

The controversy will likely continue to resonate throughout the mayoral campaign, serving as a reminder of the delicate balance required in governing one of the world's most diverse cities. As Adams and Mamdani continue their battle for City Hall, both candidates will face ongoing scrutiny of their associations and their ability to represent all New Yorkers fairly.

The episode ultimately underscores the importance of thorough vetting processes for public officials and the need for clear standards about associations with individuals who promote hate speech or discrimination. As New York City navigates an increasingly complex religious and ethnic landscape, the lessons from this controversy will likely influence how future leaders approach interfaith relations and community engagement.