Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 02:28pm on 05 Nov 2025,Wednesday India Global
Zohran Mamdani, NYC's newly elected mayor, embraces his Indian heritage complexly—playing "Dhoom Machale" at rallies and quoting Nehru's "Tryst with Destiny" speech, yet criticizing PM Modi as "anti-Muslim" and "fascist." The 34-year-old's campaign referenced Bollywood frequently, earning praise from Democratic leader Ro Khanna. BJP MP Kangana Ranaut attacked him, saying he "sounds more Pakistani than Indian." Born in Uganda, Mamdani moved to America at seven, advocating for working-class immigrants with policies like rent freezes and free buses. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi lauded his Nehru reference. Despite facing Trump's attacks calling him "communist" and widespread Islamophobia, Mamdani declared NYC will remain "a city of immigrants."
