Who is Zohran Mamdani? Mira Nair's son in contest to become NYC's first Indian-origin Muslim mayor

Zohran Mamdani was elected to the state Assembly in 2020, representing a district in Queens.

Published on: Jun 8, 2025, 16:26:59 IST

By HT News Desk

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Indian-origin democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani has emerged as a surprise contender in the 2025 New York mayoral race and surged into the spotlight due to the coveted endorsement of Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Zohran Mamdani pitched himself as the candidate to beat the incumbent NYC mayor, Andrew Cuomo. (AP)

At just 33 years old, Mamdani pitched himself as the candidate to beat the incumbent NYC mayor, Andrew Cuomo, with a focus on housing, public transit, and economic justice to win over voters.

If elected, Zohran Mamdani would be New York City's first Muslim and Indian American mayor.

Who is Zohran Mamdani?

Born in Kampala, Uganda, Zohran Mamdani moved to New York City at age seven and later became a naturalised citizen. His mother, Mira Nair, is a celebrated Indian-American filmmaker, and his father, Mahmood Mamdani, is a Columbia University professor.

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According to the Associated Press news agency, Mamdani co-founded his college's chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine and entered public life with a clear message: economic justice for working-class New Yorkers.

Zohran Mamdani was elected to the state Assembly in 2020, representing a district in Queens. His most notable legislative accomplishment was pushing through a pilot program that made a handful of city buses free for a year.

Mamdani's mayoral campaign

Zohran Mamdani's mayoral campaign has been full of big promises — free child care, free buses, a rent freeze for people living in rent-regulated apartments, new affordable housing and raising taxes on the wealthy — all packaged in well-produced social media videos.

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Critics say his hopeful visions get blurry when it comes to detail, and have also questioned the cost and feasibility of his proposals, many of which would need support from the state Legislature and governor.

His open support of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, sharp criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza, and vow to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he sets foot in New York have alienated some Jewish voters and drawn national scrutiny.

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However, to win, Mamdani will need to expand his support beyond the city's young, progressive crowd to the more moderate voters who have been a critical factor in past elections.

(with AP inputs)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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