• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

A cultural practice that’s commonplace across South Asia and Africa has triggered a political storm in the US, after a resurfaced video of New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani showed him eating rice and dal with his hands. The video, originally part of Mamdani’s campaign material, has gone viral after being amplified by the far-right social media page ‘End Wokeness’, known for its allegiance to Donald Trump.

The caption on the video, “Zohran says his worldview is inspired by the 3rd world while eating rice with his hands,” drew instant fire online. Republican Congressman Brandon Gill responded with a disparaging comment, writing on X, “Civilised people in America don’t eat like this. If you refuse to adopt Western customs, go back to the Third World.” His remark has sparked outrage, with many accusing Gill of racism and xenophobia.

ALSO READ: ‘God’s Enemies Must Fall’: Iran Declares Fatwa Against Trump And Netanyahu, Urges Muslim Nations To Unite

Rooted In Culture, Not Performance

Mamdani, a Ugandan-born Indian-American and current New York State Assemblyman, has long spoken of how his upbringing in the Global South shapes his political views. In the video, he is heard saying, “When you grow up as someone, especially in the Third World, you have a very different understanding of the Palestinian struggle.”

While right-wing commentators mocked him for what they called “cultural regression,” a wave of support emerged online, especially from fellow South Asians who defended the practice as both natural and respectful. “Eating with your hands is not primitive, it’s cultural,” one user posted. “Some of us do it our whole lives. It’s normal.”

ALSO READ: 'Like We Don’t Belong There...': NRI Woman's Viral Post Exposes How Indians Really Feel In Canada

Accusations Of Performative Identity

Not everyone rallied to Mamdani’s defence. Some critics accused him of using cultural imagery as a political tool. “This is a constructed persona to make white liberals feel special and in the know,” a post on X read, claiming the video was a calculated move to appeal to progressive voters.

Mamdani has previously addressed this topic in an interview with Bon Appetit, where he said, “I have to eat with my hand. In Uganda, we even eat salad without hands.” He described the scrutiny of such practices as bizarre and unnecessary.

The controversy has even reached President Donald Trump, who took a shot at Mamdani on Fox News, calling him “a pure communist.” “He’s bad for New York,” Trump said. “If he does get in, I’ll be president, and he’ll have to do the right thing.”