What Is New York Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani’s India Connection, And Who Is His Mother?

Last Updated:November 04, 2025, 10:21 IST

Throughout his campaign, Zohran Mamdani has spoken candidly about his Indian heritage and the religious diversity of his family.

Zohran Mamdani’s roots trace directly to India through both parents.

As New York City’s feverish mayoral race enters its final hours, Zohran Mamdani, the 34-year-old Democratic nominee and frontrunner, stands on the brink of making history. If he prevails, Zohran Mamdani- an immigrant and democratic socialist- would become New York’s first Muslim mayor, its first Indian-American mayor and one of the youngest leaders ever to govern the city. His campaign has drawn enthusiasm among young and first-time voters, galvanized by his pledges on affordability, rent freezes and immigrant rights.

The race, however, remains fiercely contested as former governor Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent after losing to Zohran Mamdani in the Democratic primary, has been publicly endorsed by US President Donald Trump.

Read more: Obama Snubs Zohran Mamdani Ahead Of NYC Mayoral Election, Refuses To Endorse Him

What Is Zohran Mamdani’s India Connection?

Though born in Kampala, Uganda, Zohran Mamdani’s roots trace directly to India through both parents. His mother Mira Nair is an Oriya-born Hindu filmmaker from Rourkela and his father Mahmood Mamdani is a Ugandan scholar of Indian descent. Zohran Mamdani spent his childhood between East Africa and New York where his mother later taught at Columbia University.

Who Is Zohran Mamdani’s Mother Mira Nair?

Mira Nair is one of India’s most acclaimed filmmakers and among the most influential voices in global cinema. Born in 1957 in Rourkela, she rose to prominence with her Oscar-nominated debut Salaam Bombay! (1988), followed by acclaimed works such as Mississippi Masala (1991), Monsoon Wedding (2001), The Namesake (2006) and The Reluctant Fundamentalist (2012). Her films often explore the experiences of migration, belonging and love across cultures. Now based between Uganda and the United States, Mira Nair continues to run the Maisha Film Lab, which trains young African filmmakers.

Read more: ‘NYC Will Be Social Disaster’: Trump Warns Of Halting Federal Funds If Zohran Mamdani Wins

What Has Zohran Mamdani Said About His Indian Roots?

Throughout his campaign, Zohran Mamdani has spoken candidly about his Indian heritage and the religious diversity of his family. During recent visits to two of New York’s oldest Hindu temples in Queens, he reflected on the traditions he inherited from his mother’s side.

He said, “I am proud that I would be the first Indian-American mayor of this city. I’m proud that my mother’s family is Hindu. And while I am Muslim, I grew up with a keen understanding of what Hinduism means- the stories, the festivals, the faith. Whether it’s Raksha Bandhan, Diwali, Holi- these are values I hold dear today."

He added, “For Gujaratis, Punjabis, for Indians across the city and the world, I would not be here were it not for the family that raised me. Those are the ideals that make me proud to be an Indian-American."

News explainers What Is New York Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani’s India Connection, And Who Is His Mother?

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