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India Today
01-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
It's a shame: Vivek Ramaswamy slams troll targeting Zohran Mamdani, Usha Vance
Republican leader Vivek Ramaswamy has condemned what he called the 'race-obsessed fringe of the right' after being lumped into a xenophobic tirade alongside fellow Indian-origin leaders New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani and US Second Lady Usha comments came in response to a post by white supremacist influencer Nick Fuentes, who called on conservatives attacking Mamdani to apply the same scrutiny to Ramaswamy and Usha wrote on X, 'When conservatives attack Zohran Mamdani for being a foreigner, I just want them to keep the same energy with Vivek Ramaswamy and Usha Vance. Let's be consistent.' Vivek Ramaswamy hits back at influencer Ramaswamy, retweeting the post, fired back, 'It's a shame to watch the race-obsessed fringe of the right try to outdo the race-obsessed woke left.'The exchange comes amid a broader controversy surrounding Zohran Mamdani after a viral video showing him eating rice and dal with his hands during an interview triggered a heated culture war online. The video, captioned 'Zohran says his worldview is inspired by the 3rd world while eating rice with his hands,' quickly became a Congressman Brandon Gill joined the backlash, tweeting, 'Civilised people in America don't eat like this. If you refuse to adopt Western customs, go back to the Third World.'The remarks drew immediate criticism, with many accusing Gill and others of racial intolerance and cultural ignorance. While some accused Mamdani of using cultural traditions for 'performative politics,' others argued the criticism reflected deep-seated controversy has escalated into calls from some Republican-aligned groups for a federal investigation into Mamdani's citizenship status. Former ICE director Tom Homan even threatened tougher enforcement on 'sanctuary cities,' implicitly targeting Mamdani, 33, is an Indian-American Muslim and the son of renowned filmmaker Mira Nair. This week, he made history as the first Muslim nominee for the Democratic Party in the New York City mayoral race, following the withdrawal of former Governor Andrew pop culture with progressive politics—frequently through Bollywood-inspired campaign videos—Mamdani has cultivated a strong online following. But his groundbreaking candidacy now faces intense scrutiny amid a deepening cultural and political backlash.- Ends
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Queens to Rourkela: The story of Zohran Mamdani's transcontinental roots
Zohran Mamdani Okay, so here's the low-down in a casual vibe: Zohran Mamdani—he's the guy you keep hearing about as the radical young candidate in New York's mayoral race. But what does he have to do with Odisha? Born in Kampala, Uganda in 1991, Zohran is the son of Mira Nair (the celebrated Indian-American filmmaker originally from Rourkela, Odisha) and Mahmood Mamdani, a Ugandan-Indian academic heavyweight based at Columbia University. So yes, Odisha is the starting point for this whole story: Mira grew up in Rourkela and Bhubaneswar—her father Amrit Lal Nair was a key figure in helping set up the Rourkela Steel Plant, and Odisha has landmarks like Nair Stadium and Nair Chowk named after her family. Life for young Zohran was pretty global—first Uganda, then Cape Town at age five, and moving to NYC at seven. His upbringing mixes East Africa, South Asia, and the west—he speaks Hindi, has Bollywood vibes, and is deeply into social justice. Zohran jumps into NYC's 2025 mayoral race with radical platforms—free bus rides, universal childcare, rent freeze, city-owned grocery stores, and tax hikes on the wealthy. His campaign is peppered with Bollywood references, Hindi lines and earthy charisma: 'Aaj uske paas building hai... aapke paas – aap ho' (You have yourself) Back in Odisha, people are geeking out. They're proud that Mira's son could become NYC's first Indian-American Muslim mayor. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like เทรดทองCFDsกับโบรกเกอร์ที่เชื่อถือได้| เปิดบัญชีวันนี้ IC Markets สมัคร Undo Rourkela nostalgia, pride in the diaspora—social media feeds are buzzing. Some fans in Bhubaneswar are even pitching cultural exchanges—imagine a Bali Jatra fest in Queens! . That's how strong the emotional link is. Why Odisha matters Roots, not just bloodlines: His mom, Mira, grew up in Odisha. That connection makes Zohran's candidacy feel personal to locals. Diaspora pride: Seeing someone with Odisha roots rise globally—especially in politics—is huge for state pride. Cultural bridge: He's turning that link into action—campaign videos in Hindi, cultural nods, and the imagination of Indo‑NYC cultural exchanges. Odisha people are hyped—not just because he's their girl's kid—but because his success feels like theirs, and he bridges worlds: Uganda, South Africa, NYC, and Odisha. He's using that hybrid energy in a campaign that's loud, edgy, and full of heart—calling himself a socialist underdog with Bollywood flair, cooking skills, and a global justice mission.
