A fierce new culture war erupted this week after accusations of “selective racism” surged across social media, aimed at critics attacking Zohran Mamdani’s rise in New York politics.

The controversy ignited when commentators noted a striking contrast in conservative reactions to public figures with similar backgrounds.

Many pointed out that MAGA-aligned voices largely remained silent when Kash Patel, also the son of Indian parents, was elevated to a top federal role.

Patel’s appointment as FBI Director drew criticism on policy grounds, but little outrage centered on his ethnicity or family origins.

That restraint, critics argue, vanished when Mamdani emerged as a serious political force in New York City.

Suddenly, social feeds filled with attacks framed around identity, loyalty, and belonging, rather than policy or governance experience.

The phrase “selective racism” began trending, capturing frustration with what many see as inconsistent standards of outrage.

“If you survived Kash Patel,” one viral post read, “you’ll survive Zohran Mamdani being mayor of a city you don’t even live in.”

That line struck a nerve, ricocheting through political circles and igniting fierce debate on cable news and talk radio.

Supporters argued the backlash against Mamdani revealed less about him, and more about who is allowed power without scrutiny.

Critics pushed back, insisting the issue was ideology, not identity, though the messaging often blurred those lines.

What turned a heated debate into a full-blown political moment was Mamdani’s own response.