American singer Mary Millben took a swipe at New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani for his public opposition to the upcoming rally at Madison Square Garden by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on August 29.
Amid calls from the progressive left to cancel the proposed event, Democratic Socialist mayor Mamdani voiced strong opposition towards the rally but indicated that municipal authorities lack the jurisdiction required to cancel a private event.
Mary Millben's attack on Mamdani
In a lengthy attack on “socialist nuts”, Millben criticised Mamdani for his comments, accused him of targeted opposition towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP and even advised him to hold his own rally for all his “anti-Modi foolishness”.
“Given these nuts subscribe to the ideology of socialism, they don’t understand capitalism. MSG doesn’t answer to socialist rants. They answer to capitalism. And thus this event will go on because of it. My advice to Mamdani and his choir of socialists - become capitalists, raise money, rent MSG, and host your own rally for all your anti-Modi foolishness.”
Also Read | 'In deep opposition to, but...': Zohran Mamdani on RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s upcoming rally in New York
{{/usCountry}}Also Read | 'In deep opposition to, but...': Zohran Mamdani on RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s upcoming rally in New York
{{/usCountry}}Following these comments, Millben then took a moment to appreciate the title of the RSS rally. “Side note, I like the rally title. “Oneness”. We are ONE family. I hope this rally includes meaningful dialogue on religious freedom in India,” she wrote.
Mamdani's comments
Amid criticism from Left leaders and activists over event, Mamdani said at a press conference in New York City on Tuesday, “I also stand here as the first Indian American mayor in our city's history. My mother's family is all still in India. The vision of India that I was taught by my family and the one that I grew up being very familiar with was of a pluralistic society, of a secular republic, that believed in the belonging of each and every person who was from India."
“It has been incredibly troubling to see the rise of a movement that is predicated on an exclusionary vision of any country, frankly. So it is one that I find myself in deep opposition to.”
He then went on to emphasise his role as the mayor of a city that also belonged to residents of every colour or faith.
The NYC mayor concluded by voicing his opposition to the rally but citing lack of jurisdiction as an administrative loophole that curbs his powers to cancel a private event being held in the city.