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Actor-turned-BJP MP Kangana Ranaut has stirred controversy by launching a personal attack on Zohran Mamdani, the Indian-origin Democratic candidate who recently won the primary race for the New York City mayoral post. In a social media post on Wednesday, Ranaut questioned Mamdani’s cultural and religious identity, stating that he “sounds more Pakistani than Indian”.
“His mother is Mira Nair, one of our best filmmakers, Padmashri, a beloved and celebrated daughter born and raised in great Bharat based in New York. She married Mehmood Mamdani (Gujarati origin), a celebrated author. And obviously, the son is named Zohran, he sounds more Pakistani than Indian,” said Ranaut.
Further expressing disapproval, Ranaut added, “Whatever happened to his Hindu identity or bloodline? And now he is ready to wipe out Hinduism, wow! It’s the same story everywhere. On a different note, met Mira ji on a couple of occasions. Congratulations to the parents.”
Ranaut’s remarks come in the wake of criticism from other Indian politicians aimed at Mamdani for his perceived anti-India stance. Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi also weighed in, accusing Mamdani of acting against India’s interests. “When Zohran Mamdani opens his mouth, Pakistan’s PR team takes the day off. India doesn’t need enemies with ‘allies’ like him shouting fiction from New York,” Singhvi posted on social media.
Zohran Mamdani, 33, recently emerged victorious in the Democratic primary for the mayoral post, defeating former New York governor Andrew Cuomo. He is the son of acclaimed Indian filmmaker Mira Nair and Ugandan-born academic and author Mahmood Mamdani, who is of Indian descent.
Born in Kampala, Uganda, on 18 October 1991, Mamdani moved to New York at the age of seven and has since grown up in the city. His campaign focused on progressive issues such as affordable healthcare, lowering grocery prices, a $30 minimum wage, secularism, and inclusivity.
Despite his electoral success in the United States, Mamdani’s political views have come under sharp scrutiny in India, particularly among politicians who perceive him as critical of Indian policies.
