Washington, August 27, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Popular American singer Mary Millben has criticised New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani over his opposition to an upcoming event featuring Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, calling him a “radical” who is on the “wrong path”.
In an exclusive interview with IANS, Millben linked Mamdani’s position to his association with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), arguing that the organisation’s ideology does not represent American democratic values.
“He is a radical, you know, that’s what this DSA movement is,” Millben said. “There’s just a bunch of radicals who don’t understand how the world works. They don’t understand how America works, and they certainly don’t understand how New York works. He doesn’t.”
Millben was responding to Mamdani’s opposition to Bhagwat’s scheduled August 29 address in New York. Bhagwat is expected to speak at a gathering centred on themes of oneness and unity as part of the RSS’s centenary-year global outreach programme. Mamdani has said he does not support the event but acknowledged that the city may not have jurisdiction to cancel a private gathering.
Millben said Mamdani’s criticism should be viewed in the context of his political alignment with the DSA, which she described as the “socialist wing” of the Democratic Party.
“The real meat and potatoes of the controversy is Mamdani’s association with the DSA,” she said, adding that she has Democratic friends in elected office who do not subscribe to the socialist movement.
She further alleged that Mamdani’s position was directed not only at Bhagwat but also at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and what she described as India’s approach to religious freedom.
Despite her criticism, Millben described Mamdani as a talented young politician who could have a promising future if he changed direction.
“He’s a talented young man. He’s just misguided, and he’s in the wrong hands within his own party,” she said.
Millben said she wanted young elected leaders in the United States to succeed while promoting what she described as American ideals. She urged Mamdani to reconsider the political messaging and associations that, in her view, were taking him in a “destructive path”.
“But right now, I can tell you he’s on the wrong path,” she said.
The DSA describes itself as a political and activist organisation seeking to build a more democratic economy, with members involved in electoral politics, labour organising and social campaigns.
Millben, who is known among Indian audiences for performances of “Jana Gana Mana” and “Om Jai Jagdish Hare”, has appeared at events involving India and the Indian diaspora and has publicly expressed support for Prime Minister Modi.
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