Archive · 29 Aug 2026
Zohran Mamdani Celebrates Raksha Bandhan With South Asian Seniors
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined South Asian seniors to celebrate Raksha Bandhan.
The celebration took place at India Home, an organization supporting South Asian seniors.
An elderly woman tied a special thread called a rakhi around his wrist.
Raksha Bandhan celebrates love, care, and protection between brothers and sisters.
Mamdani said the thread can represent people supporting one another more broadly.
He connected that message to making New York safer and more affordable.
Pictures showed him smiling, bowing respectfully, and enjoying the celebration.
Many people online liked his participation and called him “everyone’s bhai.”
Mamdani also said he opposed a separate Manhattan event featuring Mohan Bhagwat, though he was unsure whether the city could cancel it.
Zohran Mamdani celebrated Raksha Bandhan with South Asian seniors at India Home in New York City.
An elderly woman tied a rakhi around Mamdani’s wrist during the traditional ceremony.
Mamdani said the thread represented a promise to protect, support, and stand by one another.
He connected the festival’s message to his goal of building a safer and more affordable New York.
Mamdani also opposed a Manhattan event featuring RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat but questioned whether the city could cancel it.
- Who
- New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and members of the South Asian senior community.
- What
- Mamdani participated in a Raksha Bandhan ceremony and spoke about mutual protection, support, and community.
- When
- Friday, August 28; the year is not specified. A separate Manhattan event was scheduled for August 29.
- Where
- India Home in New York City; the separate event was scheduled in Manhattan.
- Why
- To celebrate Raksha Bandhan and connect its message of solidarity with efforts to build a safer and more affordable city.
Mamdani’s Opposition
Event’s Stated Framing
Mohan Bhagwat Manhattan event
Mamdani’s Opposition
Mamdani said he did not support the event and criticized what he described as an exclusionary vision of India, while saying he was unsure whether the city had jurisdiction to cancel a private event.
Event’s Stated Framing
The event’s website described the August 29 gathering as the “Universal Oneness Celebration,” bringing together the Hindu American community.
- Festival
- Raksha Bandhan, a celebration of love, care, and protection traditionally observed between brothers and sisters.
- Participant
- Zohran Mamdani, mayor of New York City.
- Venue
- India Home, an organization and community center supporting South Asian seniors.
- Ceremony
- An elderly woman tied a rakhi around Mamdani’s wrist.
- Mamdani’s message
- He described the rakhi as symbolizing a promise to protect, support, and stand by one another.
- Online reaction
- Social media users praised Mamdani’s participation and affectionately called him “everyone’s bhai.”
- Separate event
- An August 29 Manhattan gathering featuring Mohan Bhagwat was presented by its website as the “Universal Oneness Celebration.”
