Last Updated:
New York City Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has been actively campaigning, with a strong focus on engaging South Asian communities.
Zohran Mamdani’s campaign leaned heavily into music. (Photo Credits: Instagram)
Zohran Mamdani, the Indian-origin Democratic nominee running for mayor of NYC, has been hogging headlines for a while now. If elected, Mamdani will become the first Muslim and South Asian mayor of New York City. Embracing his roots, Mamdani has actively incorporated cultural elements into his campaign, using Urdu and Bengali in outreach efforts and even donning a traditional South Asian kurta during public appearances.
Appealing to the Indian community in New York City, Zohran Mamdani’s campaign leaned heavily into music, imagery and emotions of Indian films to connect with them. In one of his most talked-about campaign videos, the politician was seen recreating a scene from Amitabh Bachchan’s 1975 film Deewar. “Aaj mere paas buildingein hai, property hai, bangla hai, bank balance hai, gaadi hai. Tumhare paas kya hai?” The video shows the Bollywood superstar’s iconic dialogue, further cutting to Mamdani, who imitates Shah Rukh Khan’s signature pose and says, “Aap.”
The inspiration from Bollywood comes at a time when he himself comes from a cinematic lineage, with his mother known for films like Monsoon Wedding, The Namesake, Salaam Bombay!, and many more—something which seems to have struck a chord with many Indian-Americans. Another reason for Zohram Mamdani to connect with South Asians, especially Indians, could be attributed to his mother’s work in the film industry.
In an old interview of Nair, the filmmaker could be seen speaking about her life in Lahore, revealing the culturally rich and creative side of the country. “I was deeply inspired by the music, the people, the dreams, and the art,” she said, resonating with many online users, who believed Mamdani got his upbringing from his mother.
With more than 60,000 South Asian Americans living in New York, the new strategy of connecting with them seems to be essential and more personal, considering that NYC neighbourhoods like Richmond Hill, Ocean Park, Kensington, and Curry Hill have Hindi, Bengali, Punjabi, and Urdu-speaking populations. In another video, Mandani could be seen speaking fluent Bengali, sparking another cultural moment.
Promising to offer affordable living to the residents of NYC, Mamdani, in a surprise kurta-pant appearance, once made an appeal for votes from people from all communities. “I’m running for mayor to lower the cost of living for working-class New Yorkers,” he asserted.
Mamdani’s attempts to blend with people from different nationalities and communities were displayed with his participation with a vibrant Guinean community, standing with the Black socialists, and efforts to make every voice audible. “Many languages. Thousands of volunteers. One movement to make this city affordable for the people who keep it running,” the 33-year-old says in a campaign video.
The politician’s extensive outreach to South Asian communities—Indians, Bangladeshis, and Pakistanis—became even more evident when he spoke at an event put on by the American Pakistani Advocacy Group for Pakistan Day. A rally was also held for him at Makki Masjid in Flatbush, Brooklyn.
Apart from reaching out to communities, Mamdani’s campaign has made efforts to reach out to the youth. In a campaign video, the politician was seen being comfortable and happy with his young followers, clicking pictures with many, and making appeals for voting.
He also did not forget to add a ‘tea touch’ in his campaign—something which Asians largely cherish. Over a “cup of chai,” Mambani spoke about his love for NYC and how he feels the urge to ease the cost of living for the people.
The reason for Zohran Mamdani’s personal strategy for mayoral elections—after all, he is a South Asian and Muslim born in Uganda to a Punjabi-Indian mother and a Gujarati-Indian father.
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
- Location :
Delhi, India, India
- First Published:
