The stunning election of Zohran Mamdani as the next mayor of New York City has sent ripples through both American and Indian political circles. At 34, the Democratic Socialist’s win is being seen as a progressive breakthrough in an era marked by deep political divisions in the United States.
But Mamdani’s relationship with his Indian heritage is far from straightforward — and cannot be summed up merely by playing Bollywood songs like “Dhoom Machale” at his victory rally. His identity is layered: Ugandan-born, Indian-rooted, Muslim by faith, and American by choice.
🇮🇳 The India Connection — And the Political Tension
In his victory speech, Mamdani quoted from Jawaharlal Nehru’s 1947 “Tryst with Destiny” speech:
“A moment comes but rarely in history when we step out from the old to the new… Tonight we have stepped out from the old into the new.”
The gesture drew praise from Priyanka Gandhi and other Congress leaders, who said it showcased Nehru’s continued global respect. But it also highlighted Mamdani’s distance from India’s current political establishment.
A vocal critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Mamdani has said he grew up with a vision of India that was “pluralistic and inclusive”, contrasting sharply with what he describes as the BJP’s “Hindutva-centric” outlook.
He has called Modi “fascist”, a term also used by his mother, filmmaker Mira Nair, known for films like Monsoon Wedding and The Namesake. Their remarks have drawn fierce backlash from some Indian-American groups and BJP leaders.
In India, BJP’s Mumbai unit chief Ameet Satam remarked that he wouldn’t tolerate any “Khan” leading New York, while MP Kangana Ranaut accused Mamdani of “sounding more Pakistani than Indian.”
🌍 A Multicultural Campaign
Despite controversy, Mamdani leaned into his South Asian identity during his campaign. He referenced Bollywood, made light-hearted cultural nods like popping “mouth fresheners” from sachets, and engaged with temples, gurdwaras, and mosques across the city.
Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna praised his unapologetic embrace of his roots:
“He didn’t run away from his heritage. He did video clips with Amitabh Bachchan and Hindi movies — and showed that one can embrace their roots and still succeed in American politics.”
🗽 From Uganda to New York: A Global Story
Born in Uganda to Mahmood Mamdani, a noted scholar of Ugandan-Indian descent, and Mira Nair, Mamdani moved to the United States when he was seven. He has often described his upbringing as one that celebrated diversity, resistance, and solidarity across identities.
His father’s writings on imperialism and fascism, and his Syrian-origin wife Rama Duwaji’s work on immigration and Middle Eastern politics, have further shaped his worldview.
Before entering politics, Mamdani dabbled in rap music, humorously calling himself a “mediocre rapper” who once wrote songs about chapati, a dish popular in both India and Uganda. That short-lived career still earns him around $1,000 a year in royalties.
💬 Policies and Promise
As mayor-elect, Mamdani has pledged to make New York “a city of immigrants” — a pointed counter to the anti-immigrant rhetoric of former President Donald Trump, who campaigned against him, calling him a “communist” and “Jew hater” for his pro-Palestine stance.
Mamdani’s campaign focused on rent freezes, free bus services, and publicly run grocery stores, aligning with his working-class and immigrant support base.
In his victory speech, he directly addressed Trump:
“Donald Trump, since I know you’re watching — I have four words for you: Turn the volume up!”
⚖️ Navigating Faith, Politics, and Identity
Mamdani’s win marks a historic moment — the first Muslim and Indian-origin mayor of America’s largest city. But it also underscores the complexities of diaspora identity in an age of polarized politics.
As his political career begins, Zohran Mamdani stands at the intersection of multiple worlds — Indian and American, Muslim and secular, progressive and pragmatic — embodying a global, multicultural vision that resonates with a new generation of voters.