busy day today but I feel Z’s victory is kind of a big (huge) deal. even more than Sadiq’s.. dump ur links about it in the thread
busy day today but I feel Z’s victory is kind of a big (huge) deal. even more than Sadiq’s.. dump ur links about it in the thread
I wrote, a while back, on Mamdani & the impending interculturalism. Few excerpts.
For centuries, societies have tried to manage diversity in two dominant ways. The melting pot, as in the United States, where people are urged to blend into one shared ‘American’ culture. And the salad bowl, as seen in Singapore and Malaysia, which celebrates coexistence and groups living peacefully while retaining their distinct flavour. Although both models worked in the past, today’s hyper-diverse democracies are struggling to find balance—and neither metaphor is working fully. In this post-assimilation world, identity politics, representation, and cultural memory collide in novel and uncomfortable ways.
Even in Pakistan—a country thought to be culturally homogenous—similar issues exist, with cultural shifts underway. In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in Peshawar, the indigenous Peshawari culture and local language are being severely undermined by broader Pashtun cultural dominance, primarily due to the radical influx during the Afghan war and, more recently, because of the city’s horizontal expansion. In Punjab too, the Punjabi language and culture are quietly fading from urban life, replaced by Urdu and English media culture and a new middle class shaped by globalised Islamic identity. In contrast, Sindhis are actively preserving their culture by tightly holding on to their language and heritage through education and cultural celebrations. Meanwhile, Baloch communities have managed to protect their traditions by remaining closed and tightly-knit.
Perhaps it’s time to talk about a third way: interculturalism, where societies seek harmony and equality while allowing communities to keep their identities. While the melting pot demands blending in, and the salad bowl seeks coexistence, interculturalism goes further by inviting mutual, planned transformation through dialogue and respect. It means evolving together by building bridges based on shared values, civic engagement, and common norms—instead of building walls or erasing cultures.
https://www.thefridaytimes.com/01-Jul-2025/zohran-mamdani-and-the-identity-debate-navigating-diversity-in-a-changing-world
I dont’ think the same applies with immigrant communities and indigenous ones per se.
While the melting pot demands blending in, and the salad bowl seeks coexistence, interculturalism goes further by inviting mutual
Both get thrown out when the economy goes bad.
This is very true !!
Hasidic Jews Celebrating Mamdani’s win
For the most part Hasidic Jews oppose Zionism and are Pro Palestine
https://web.facebook.com/reel/2224830054676054
Democrats ran Cuomo against Mamdani to split the Democratic Vote.
Democratic Party cares more about being Pro Israel and Pro Zionism
https://web.facebook.com/reel/1150959137160251
Interesting analysis on Mamdani win. The key take away is that Mandani won in spite of the Democrat Establishment
excerpts
having won a majority of the vote (approx 10% lead) in a three way race against Republican Curtis Sliwa and former governor Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent after losing to Mamdani in the Democratic primary
participation in Tuesday’s mayoral election in New York City was nothing short of electric, approaching numbers not seen in half a century.
More than two million New Yorkers cast their ballots. That figure was almost double the 1,100,000 people who voted for mayor four years ago. In some areas of Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan, participation approached presidential election levels.
But Mr. Mamdani, who will be the city’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor, more than made up for those losses with two groups most Democrats have overlooked: the young residents of gentrifying neighborhoods like Bushwick and Williamsburg, and the taxi drivers, bodega owners and other working-class South Asian immigrants in Queens and the Bronx.
Mamdani also solved one of the problems that has dogged progressive campaigns in recent decades: an inability to connect with working class and minority voters:
During the primary, Mr. Mamdani struggled to win some working-class Black and Latino areas. He overcame those challenges in a major way on Tuesday night
In working-class neighborhoods like Kingsbridge in the Bronx, Mr. Cuomo beat Mr. Mamdani by almost two points in the primary. On Tuesday night, Mr. Mamdani was winning the neighborhood by 14 points.
He also addressed the spurious charges of anti-Semitism that have been relentlessly hurled at him by zionists throughout the race and his status as a Muslim New Yorker:
Mamdani also commented on the massive oligarch-funded campaign against him and issued a challenge in his victory speech:
Many have heard our message only through the prism of misinformation. Tens of millions of dollars have been spent to redefine reality and to convince our neighbors that this new age is something that should frighten them. As has so often occurred, the billionaire class has sought to convince those making $30 an hour that their enemies are those earning $20 an hour.
Despite running as an independent, Cuomo represented the Democratic party establishment, AIPAC, the oligarchy, and POTUS Donald Trump, who endorsed Cuomo in the final days of the race.
He held true to his beliefs, but perhaps he also saw which way the wind was blowing: Democratic voters’ views on Israel have shifted dramatically over the last two years, but their leaders’ haven’t
Those readers who are having painful flashbacks to the “Hope and Change” of 2008 and burn at the memory of Obama’s failure to deliver anything resembling positive change are right to worry.
Ominously, the big BO (Obama) himself is promising to be in Mamdani’s ear as a “sounding board” following one of two phone calls he placed to Mamdani during the campaign
NOTE: Democrats ran Cuomo against Mamdani to split the Democratic Vote. Democratic Party cares more about being Pro Israel and Pro Zionism
https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2025/11/zohran-mamdani-youthquake-new-york-cuomo-trump-democrats.html
It’s my wife’s birthday weekend – so a bit tied up
Maybe mis-identified as Muslims
The Sri Lankan Embassy in Israel has confirmed that three Sri Lankan migrant workers have been attacked in a series of reported chemical-laced water assaults targeting foreign workers in Israel.
In a statement issued from Tel Aviv, the Embassy said it had been alerted to videos and reports circulating on social media over the past few days, which claimed that foreign migrant workers were being sprayed with chemically mixed water by small groups in isolated areas.
Israeli police have since arrested five teenagers, aged between 13 and 19, in connection with the first reported attack.
https://www.newswire.lk/2025/11/07/3-sri-lankan-migrant-workers-attacked-in-israel-amid-reported-chemical-water-assaults/
what is going on with Israel!
Listen to what Hasidic Jews have to say of Mamdani
https://web.facebook.com/reel/1168417094629091
I guess they support?
this is from today’s print:
It remains to be seen if the young Mamdani, as he matures, opens his eyes to the blind spots of his identity. If he doesn’t, those who are applauding him will see in his victory the redemption for the defeat at the Battle of Tours, the failure of the Siege of Vienna, and the loss of Spain.
They must derive the right morals from this development—rising above the tribalism of identity, acceptance of diversity, and celebration of humanity. If they take Mamdani’s victory as proof of the truth of their religion and the divine right of their community to rule the world, they cannot go very far in their misuse of the civic space that the secular liberal societies offer them.
https://theprint.in/opinion/mamdani-muslim-identity-blind-spot/2779361/
how does the Battle of Tours factor into this 🙂
the original piece was written by an indian muslim, ‘ ibn khaldun bharati’.
wikipedia says the following:
…Several historians, such as Edward Gibbon, have credited the Christian victory in the battle as an important factor in curtailing the spread of Islam in Western Europe.
fascinating; we had an “Indian Muslim” on this blog too 🙂
I have been getting many messages that NYC is becoming Communist
I have lived in NYC for about 15 years (1998 to 2014).
In my opinion it has been the most SOCIALIST and consumer protection of big cities in the US.
Because of the socialist policies
a) Minimal homeless living in tents like LA (see video below). Homeless get housed in hotels (I dont agree, but still better than on the street)
b) Bus and Subway travel is subsidized. Reduces congestion. An Unlimited 24/7 Metro Card valid om both buses and subway USD 34. Parking can be about USD 50 for a day.
c) Rental Bumper to Bumper Insurance used to be (2010) USD 9 per day. Next door NJ it was USD 25. One gets used to not owning a car and just renting when doing a long trip.
Many many other socialist consumer protection in NYC, including rent control.
That why many overwhelming many voted for Mandani based on his socialist promises. It will be difficult to deliver.
Below Homeless encampments in Los Angeles
https://youtu.be/-vc6CHRrtH8
fascinating comment; I prefer Boston to NYC.
“India Badly Needs a Zohran Mamdani to Take On the Right Wing”
Saira Shah Halim, CPM Candidate in the 2024 elections, discusses her new book “Comrades and Comebacks: The Battle of the Left to Win the Indian Mind” with Sidharth Bhatia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-A5XDFdvDE
he can’t run for President right?
He’s not a natural born US citizen so is ineligible to be president. He could be Secretary of State (like Madeleine Albright was)
right wing in india is culturally hindu. kejriwal did this with some success. once out of initial success, he becomes indistinguishable with b j p in terms of identity etc.
muslims traditionally are highly conservative. even english speaking ones like saira speak a ton against hindutva ( also known as feelings of hindus) and some how fail to address the elephant in the room, ‘the muslim commulalism’ .
ironically when a ‘hindu c p m’ in kerala is fighting the congress lead u d f , the c p m brings muslim league’s influence on congress to scare the hindu vote of u d f.
yes being able to stimulate internal reform is 50% of the battle
“South Asians in US: After Mamdani, Saikat Chakrabarti aims to shake up Democratic establishment” by Madhu Bhatia Jha
https://scroll.in/article/1088359/south-asians-in-us-after-mamdani-saikat-chakrabarti-aims-to-shake-up-democratic-establishment
u can make short posts about these links?
we have a cheeky article in the telegraph of kolkota.
it ends thus:
All that remains to be seen is whether Zohran-come-lately can match Bengal’s stellar record in wealth creation and industrialisation. The Wall Street titans are already making squirming noises, will they say Tata?
https://www.telegraphindia.com/world/why-mamata-banerjee-could-have-been-new-york-city-mayor-in-place-of-zohran-mamdani-photogallery-prnt/cid/2131375
yes but does Zohran have that much power?
The days of real wealth creation in the US are over. I mean real wealth for the country and not for a few.
GDP numbers** in US are misleading as every thing is high priced, including basics like Health Care. Then of course there is Debt, for the country and at individual level. Is a person really wealthy if the house is on a mortgage and car is on lease. Is a H1-B really stable despite a big salary.
**I have no idea what is good metric, maybe PPP. Even that does not take into account debt. Is a company that has huge loans, but revenue does not cover expenses a wealth generating company
Without US money and support Gods Chose i.e. Israel cannot exist.
I think more telling is that it was the below 35 vote for Mandani. That despite the Democrat fielding Cuomo as an Independent to break the Democrat bloc vote.
If this is going under 35 vote is reflected across the US, it is curtains for Israel.
=====================
JERUSALEM (AP) — The election of Zohran Mamdani as New York City’s next mayor has sent a chill across Israel as people come to terms with the victory of a politician propelled by an outspoken pro-Palestinian message that is rare in U.S. politics.
Israelis across the political spectrum fear that Mamdani’s election — in the city with the world’s second-largest Jewish population — could foreshadow icier relations with the U.S., Israel’s most important ally. Support for Mamdani from almost one-third of Jewish voters only added to the pain.
https://apnews.com/article/netanyahu-mamdani-socialist-gaza-hamas-jews-israel-ee114e57ad0b593f03ac5a1e94301941
More evidence of Gods Chosen carrying out Gods Work, i.e. Genocide
Israeli soldiers have described a free-for-all in Gaza and a breakdown in norms and legal constraints, with civilians killed at the whim of individual officers, according to testimony in a TV documentary.
“If you want to shoot without restraint, you can,” Daniel, the commander of an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) tank unit, says in Breaking Ranks: Inside Israel’s War, due to be broadcast in the UK on ITV on Monday
The soldiers who agreed to talk confirmed the IDF’s routine use of human shields, contradicting official denials, and gave details of Israeli troops opening fire unprovoked on civilians racing to reach food handouts at the militarised distribution points set up by the US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/nov/10/israeli-soldiers-breaking-ranks-gaza-civilians-human-shields
I don’t think this really has very much to do with their religion. Rather, it is a systematic culture of dehumanizing the “Other”. Many Israelis don’t believe that there are any innocents in Gaza.
+1