Indian-origin New York lawmaker faces scrutiny over college application where he reportedly checked ‘Black’ despite Indian-Ugandan heritage
Zohran Mamdani, a rising socialist politician and Indian-origin New York State Assemblyman, is facing renewed scrutiny after conservative activist Christopher Rufo published parts of his Columbia University application, alleging Mamdani identified as Black while applying — possibly to offset a below-median SAT score, reported timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
According to Rufo, Mamdani scored 2140 out of 2400 on his SAT, lower than Columbia’s then-median of 2250–2300. For most colleges, that score would rank highly. But as the child of an Indian mother and Ugandan-Indian father, Mamdani would fall under the Asian demographic, which faces steeper academic expectations in Ivy League admissions. Rufo claims Mamdani checked both ‘Asian’ and ‘Black’ — prompting criticism that he manipulated identity politics to boost his odds.
Critics argue Mamdani gamed the system. Supporters say his actions reflect a rigged admissions structure that forces minority students into impossible trade-offs. Either way, the story adds complexity to Mamdani’s narrative as a progressive crusader for equity and truth.
From Mr. Cardamom to candidate: A journey of class and culture
Mamdani’s early ambitions weren’t limited to academia. In high school, he pursued hip-hop under the name ‘Mr. Cardamom’, rapping about imperialism, identity, and gentrification. His first SAT score was a much lower 1650, but he improved to 2140. Despite his artistic and academic resume — and despite his parents being public figures (filmmaker Mira Nair and Columbia professor Mahmood Mamdani) — Columbia rejected him. He went on to graduate from Bowdoin College in 2014 with degrees in Economics and Film.
Trump, socialism, and strategic self-branding
Now representing Astoria, Queens, Mamdani champions rent freezes, public transit, and gender-affirming healthcare. He’s drawn comparisons to Obama — though his critics liken his populist tactics more to Donald Trump, especially in how he leverages identity and outsider status. Earlier this month, Trump called Mamdani a “100% Communist Lunatic,” which Mamdani’s base took as a badge of honor.
Christopher Rufo’s latest target
Rufo, known for triggering the downfall of Harvard President Claudine Gay, claims Mamdani is another example of elite hypocrisy. His exposé suggests Mamdani falsely claimed marginalization to benefit from affirmative action, only to later use that story as a foundation for his political rise.
Indian-Americans and Ivy league bias
Experts like Malcolm Gladwell have long documented how Asian and Indian students face invisible quotas in elite admissions. At Caltech, Asian representation rose with test-based admissions. At Harvard, it remained flat. For many, Mamdani’s alleged decision to mark “Black” was not deception — but survival.
What this means for Mamdani’s political future
Voters may or may not care. For many New Yorkers, Mamdani’s teenage application strategy matters less than housing costs and transit issues. But the episode dents his image as a moral purist. How he addresses it could determine whether this remains a footnote — or becomes an Achilles’ heel.
A story of systemic manipulation, not just personal calculation
At its core, Mamdani’s saga isn’t just about one candidate — it’s about a flawed system that incentivizes strategic identity and punishes transparency. Whether he’s a cynic, a survivor, or both, Mamdani’s story is a mirror reflecting the complex moral calculus of meritocracy in modern America.
