Zohran Mamdani’s old video criticising Narendra Modi resurfaces amid NYC Mayoral buzz
New York: As New York City Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani emerges as a prominent contender in the race for the city’s 2025 mayoral elections, a past video of his remarks on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has gone viral on social media, drawing both criticism and support.
The resurfaced clip shows Mamdani speaking at a public event earlier this year, where he was asked whether he would consider sharing a platform with PM Modi, particularly in the context of Modi’s Madison Square Garden rally. Mamdani firmly declined the idea and offered a detailed explanation for his position, referencing the 2002 Gujarat riots and drawing a controversial comparison.
“This is someone who helped to orchestrate what was a mass slaughter of Muslims in Gujarat,” Mamdani said in the video, referring to Modi’s role as then Chief Minister of Gujarat. “To the extent that we don’t even believe there are Gujarati Muslims anymore... And this is someone we should view in the same manner that we do Benjamin Netanyahu — this is a war criminal,” he added.
The comments have triggered mixed reactions across social media platforms such as X and Instagram, especially among Indian-American communities and political observers. While some praised Mamdani for taking a principled stand, others criticised the remarks as inflammatory and disrespectful to a democratically elected world leader.
Mamdani, 33, is the son of Indian-born Ugandan academic Mahmood Mamdani and acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair. He is currently a Democratic Socialist and has represented Astoria in the New York State Assembly since 2020. Born in Uganda, Mamdani moved to the United States at age seven and became a U.S. citizen in 2018.
A first-generation Gujarati Muslim by heritage, Mamdani has long been vocal about international human rights issues, including his advocacy for Palestinian rights during his time at Bowdoin College, where he co-founded the Students for Justice in Palestine chapter.
His recent rise in the Democratic mayoral primary, especially after the withdrawal of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, has placed him in the national spotlight. He secured the Democratic nomination, Mamdani is expected to face incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, running as an independent, and Republican Curtis Sliwa in the November general election.
The final results of the Democratic primary are expected later this year. Mamdani has not issued any fresh statement in response to the viral video as of yet.
Zohran Mamdani's view on Narendra Modi
— 𝑪𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒚𝒂🛡 (@catale7a) June 25, 2025
[New York City Mayoral Democratic Nominee] pic.twitter.com/Laa5VSwxJQ
"We should view Modi the way we view Netanyahu. This is a war criminal," says Indian-origin politician Zohran Mamdani in his campaign for New York Mayor pic.twitter.com/P6tzorEx5T
— Shashank Mattoo (@MattooShashank) June 7, 2025
Zohran Mamdani has burnt down Bhakats and Zionist by Calling Modi Butcher of Gujrat and Netanyahu a war Criminal .. Ladies and Gentlemen the Future Mayor of Newyork is already a Hero pic.twitter.com/Y2CxOw73z6
— Faisal Ranjha (@ranjha001) June 25, 2025
Zohran Mamdani's view on Narendra Modi.
— Dr Nimo Yadav 2.0 (@DrNimoYadav) June 25, 2025
Videsh mein danka baj rha hai
pic.twitter.com/oI2jf5wbHE
Zohran Mamdani, son of filmmaker Mira Nair, is an immigrant, socialist, and now NYC mayoral nominee. He once called Narendra Modi a “war criminal” over the 2002 Gujarat riots. He is a rare politician who doesn't mince words, locally or globally.#Emergency #Emergency1975 pic.twitter.com/GcNCV0kyL7
— Adv. Vijay Singh (@VijaySingh_law) June 25, 2025
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
IndiGo fight disruptions: Opposition demands statement from government
New Delhi (PTI): The opposition on Monday demanded in the Lok Sabha that the government should inform the country about what it is doing in the wake of the IndiGo flight disruptions and the inconvenience being faced by the people at various airports across the country.
Speaker Om Birla said Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu will give a detailed statement on the matter in the Lower House on Monday or Tuesday.
Speaking in the Lok Sabha soon after the Question Hour, Congress' deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi said, "Through you (the Speaker), we request the government that the Civil Aviation Ministry should tell the country through this House that why people in all airports across the country since many days (are facing trouble), there are dialysis patients, people who have weddings in their house, people who want to reach their elderly, there is chaos at the airports."
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"We were told that even people wearing Hawai chappals will travel in airplanes but prices have soared to Rs 20,000, coffee (at airports) is for Rs 250 and planes are delayed. Therefore, the government should tell us what is it doing," he said.
The opposition has been attacking the government over the IndiGo flight disruptions and blaming it for the "unprecedented crisis".
The Congress had earlier claimed that the ongoing IndiGo chaos was not an accident but the direct outcome of the BJP government's "relentless push to manufacture a duopoly in the sector".
Over 250 IndiGo flights were cancelled from Delhi and Bengaluru airports on Monday as the disruptions in the crisis-hit airline's flight operations entered the seventh day, sources said.
