India, Nov. 13 -- Zohran Mamdani's record-breaking victory in New York's mayoral race is astonishing. Elected as the first Muslim South Asian mayor of the city, he represents a rare blend of identities. Born in Africa to South Asian parents and a follower of Shia Islam, he is also the son of acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair.

Since his election, Mamdani has received significant media attention. Addressing a cheering crowd in New York, he said, "A moment comes but rarely in history when we step from the old into the new," quoting India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, from his historic 1947 freedom speech.

Many observers believe that Mamdani's invocation of Nehru signalled the beginning of something new and potentially transformativ...