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Zohran Mamdani’s Stunning Upset Redefines New York Politics

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Yashica Dutt @yashicadutt.bsky.social · Jun 30

Here's an account of my reporting on this campaign and how it all came together.

New Lines Magazine @newlinesmag.bsky.social · Jun 29

Defying the poll leads of rival Andrew Cuomo, Zohran Mamdani's victory in the Democratic mayoral primary has stunned New York and American politics, writes @yashicadutt.bsky.social for @newlinesmag.bsky.social

newlinesmag.com/reportage/zo...

A grassroots movement and timely endorsements propelled the young politician’s historic win, signaling a new era for progressives in the Big Apple and beyond

The South Asian Vote May Be Split for Zohran Mamdani in New York City

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Yashica Dutt @yashicadutt.bsky.social · Jun 30

Extremely proud of this piece. Even though it was published before the election, the reporting in here has taken new meaning since Zohran's win in the Mayoral Primary. Glad to see it get more eyeballs.

New Lines Magazine @newlinesmag.bsky.social · Jun 20

Zohran Mamdani has support from South Asian groups in his NYC mayoral run, but the community is split. Some back his progressive platform, others don't and many remain unaware of his campaign, writes @YashicaDutt.bsky.social for @newlinesmag.bsky.social

Son of a prominent filmmaker and academic, the mayoral hopeful is gaining traction in progressive circles, but support for him is not unanimous within South Asian communities

The South Asian Vote May Be Split for Zohran Mamdani in New York City

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Reposted by Yashica Dutt

New Lines Magazine @newlinesmag.bsky.social · Jun 20

Zohran Mamdani has support from South Asian groups in his NYC mayoral run, but the community is split. Some back his progressive platform, others don't and many remain unaware of his campaign, writes @YashicaDutt.bsky.social for @newlinesmag.bsky.social

Son of a prominent filmmaker and academic, the mayoral hopeful is gaining traction in progressive circles, but support for him is not unanimous within South Asian communities

Zohran Mamdani’s Stunning Upset Redefines New York Politics

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Reposted by Yashica Dutt

New Lines Magazine @newlinesmag.bsky.social · Jun 26

NEW: Defying the poll leads of rival Andrew Cuomo, Zohran Mamdani clinched victory in the Democratic mayoral primary just 90 minutes after voting closed, stunning New York and American politics, writes @yashicadutt.bsky.social for @newlinesmag.bsky.social.

newlinesmag.com/reportage/zo...

A grassroots movement and timely endorsements propelled the young politician’s historic win, signaling a new era for progressives in the Big Apple and beyond

The South Asian Vote May Be Split for Zohran Mamdani in New York City

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Yashica Dutt @yashicadutt.bsky.social · Jun 17

I reported on this piece for months and traveled to South Asian neighborhoods (and Staten Island) to find out what desi voters are feeling around this election and about the possibility of electing the first South-Asian origin Mayor of New York @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social

New Lines Magazine @newlinesmag.bsky.social · Jun 17

NEW: Zohran Mamdani has support from South Asian groups in his NYC mayoral run, but the community is split. Some back his progressive platform, others worry about rent freezes and many remain unaware of his campaign, writes Yashica Dutt for @newlinesmag.bsky.social.

newlinesmag.com/reportage/th...

Son of a prominent filmmaker and academic, the mayoral hopeful is gaining traction in progressive circles, but support for him is not unanimous within South Asian communities

The South Asian Vote May Be Split for Zohran Mamdani in New York City

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Reposted by Yashica Dutt

Danny Postel @dannypostel.bsky.social · Jun 17

Zohran Mamdani has support from South Asian groups, but the community is split: some back his progressive platform, others worry about rent freezes—and many remain unaware of his campaign.

Textured reporting by @yashicadutt.bsky.social for @newlinesmag.bsky.social ⤵️

newlinesmag.com/reportage/th...

Son of a prominent filmmaker and academic, the mayoral hopeful is gaining traction in progressive circles, but support for him is not unanimous within South Asian communities

The South Asian Vote May Be Split for Zohran Mamdani in New York City

Yashica Dutt @yashicadutt.bsky.social · Jun 17

I had the chance to go into the heart of desi communities in NYC & report on how local politics is shaped across caste, class & national lines. We're not a monolith & don't vote like one.

If you want to know how
@zohrankmamdani.bsky.social campaign is doing among South Asians in NYC read👇🏽

Danny Postel @dannypostel.bsky.social · Jun 17

Zohran Mamdani has support from South Asian groups, but the community is split: some back his progressive platform, others worry about rent freezes—and many remain unaware of his campaign.

Textured reporting by @yashicadutt.bsky.social for @newlinesmag.bsky.social ⤵️

newlinesmag.com/reportage/th...

Son of a prominent filmmaker and academic, the mayoral hopeful is gaining traction in progressive circles, but support for him is not unanimous within South Asian communities

The South Asian Vote May Be Split for Zohran Mamdani in New York City

Reposted by Yashica Dutt

New Lines Magazine @newlinesmag.bsky.social · Jun 17

NEW: Zohran Mamdani has support from South Asian groups in his NYC mayoral run, but the community is split. Some back his progressive platform, others worry about rent freezes and many remain unaware of his campaign, writes Yashica Dutt for @newlinesmag.bsky.social.

newlinesmag.com/reportage/th...

Son of a prominent filmmaker and academic, the mayoral hopeful is gaining traction in progressive circles, but support for him is not unanimous within South Asian communities

Inside Cuomo’s State-Funded Legal War Against the Women Who Accused Him of Sexual Harassment

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Yashica Dutt @yashicadutt.bsky.social · Jun 4

Never related to SATC until today when folks started stripping floors in the apartment right above us and I immediately understood why Carrie needed to run from Aidan to a hotel lobby and have an affair with Big

Reposted by Yashica Dutt

THE CITY @thecity.nyc · Jun 2

NEW: A review by THE CITY of thousands of pages of court documents paints the most complete picture of how intensely he is battling the women who stepped forward.

www.thecity.nyc/2025/06/02/c...

A review by THE CITY of thousands of pages of court documents paints the most complete picture of how intensely he is battling the women who stepped forward.

www.thecity.nyc

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Yashica Dutt @yashicadutt.bsky.social · May 30

Just dropped a new essay on Substack about the promise of the anti-caste movement in the US, and where we are now.

This is something I've been thinking about for months, & there is no better time to examine it than five year mark since George Floyd's murder.

open.substack.com/pub/yashicad...

The Summer of George Floyd's Murder and The Season of Anti-Caste Politics in the United States

An in-depth essay of where we stand five years since the 'moment of racial reckoning'

Featuring Dalits | Substack

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Yashica Dutt @yashicadutt.bsky.social · May 29

The proliferation of Knicks merch seen on the streets of Brooklyn will tell even most sports avoidant person (me) that some big things are happening in basketball. Some dudes have taken to walking up & down the block just to show off their jackets. Maybe the 2000s ARE back.

Anyway, Go Knicks 🏀

Yashica Dutt @yashicadutt.bsky.social · May 27

For more reporting on South Asians, caste and New York, follow Featuring Dalits

open.substack.com/pub/yashicad...

A newsletter that analyzes global culture, politics, identity & race through a Dalit lens. I report stories on caste, marginalized identities and beyond. I will also continue writing about the anti-ca...

Dispatches from NYC Mayoral Election Trail: Turbans, Kirpans and Vaisakhi Celebrations at the NYPD Police Academy

Yashica Dutt @yashicadutt.bsky.social · May 27

Continuing with my series of reporting from New York's South Asian neighborhoods, here is a piece on the relationship between the NYPD and Sikh New Yorkers.

And why it might not be as easy it looked on the official Vaisakhi (spring festival) celebration in April.

open.substack.com/pub/yashicad...

Second part of the series on reports from New York's South Asian neighborhoods

America's legacy of segregation is affecting who benefits—and doesn't—from the clean energy revolution.

Reposted by Yashica Dutt

Mother Jones @motherjones.com · May 20

Redlining shaped the power grid. Communities of color are still paying the price.

www.motherjones.com

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Reposted by Yashica Dutt

Nitish Pahwa @nitishpahwa.com · May 19

this kinda thing happened a lot in India during Modi's first two terms, in case you were wondering

The New York Times @nytimes.com · May 19

Breaking News: Wendy McMahon, the president of CBS News, said she would resign. McMahon had allied herself with Bill Owens, the “60 Minutes” executive producer who recently resigned. It’s the latest in a showdown between the news division and President Trump.

Head of CBS News to Depart Amid Tensions With Trump

www.nytimes.com

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Yashica Dutt @yashicadutt.bsky.social · May 17

Read the full post here, leave comments and subscribe to Featuring Dalits. It’s free!

https://yashicadutt.substack.com/p/dispatches-from-nyc-mayoral-election

Dispatches from NYC Mayoral Election Trail: Woodside, the Ravidassia Sikh Temple and Jackson Heights

An account of my reporting on the NYC Democratic Primaries

yashicadutt.substack.com

Yashica Dutt @yashicadutt.bsky.social · May 17

As a way to create a deeper understanding of a massive voting block that has left its unique imprint on the city’s culture and is shaping it in ways we have not begun to fully unpack yet.

Follow along on my Substack for the Dispatch series on more in-depth reporting from NYC’s South Asian hubs.

Zohran Mamdani's South Asianness doesn't scream from the rooftops

Yashica Dutt @yashicadutt.bsky.social · May 17

South Asian communities in
NYC are desperately under reported. That leads to false ideas around their caste, class, regional & religious identities taking hold in mainstream narratives.

As I work on a piece on the NYC Mayoral race, I’ve decided to share my reporting from the areas I’m visiting.

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Yashica Dutt @yashicadutt.bsky.social · May 13

The NYC focused media, like journalism across the US seems over burdened & under funded. Yet, there are stories like the South Asian community's response to Zohran Mamdani's campaign that are worth pursuing.

My latest piece, part of a longer series on NYC Mayoral race. substack.com/@yashicadutt...

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Yashica Dutt @yashicadutt.bsky.social · May 12

Zohran Mamdani's South Asianness doesn't scream from the rooftops. My latest piece on the NYC Mayoral election.

open.substack.com/pub/yashicad...

But it was playing on the loudspeakers at his first major campaign rally in Brooklyn