Rude, obsessed with colonialism: Mamdani slammed over 'return the Kohinoor' remark

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing intensifying criticism after saying he would urge King Charles III to return the Kohinoor diamond to India, a remark that critics have branded a "rude" welcome during the monarch’s recent US visit. The New York Post Editorial Board has accused Mamdani of failing to "set aside his obsession with colonialism" at a solemn moment tied to the 9/11 memorial.

The controversy stems from comments Mamdani made hours before meeting King Charles and Queen Camilla at the 9/11 Memorial in Manhattan on Wednesday.

Speaking at a press conference, the Indian-origin mayor initially stressed that the wreath-laying ceremony was meant to honour "the more than 3,000 New Yorkers who were killed in the horrific terror attacks of September 11".

"And that's what I'm really looking to do at that event," Mamdani said.

However, when pressed on what he might say to the British monarch in a separate interaction, Mamdani added, "If I was to speak to the king separately from that, I would probably encourage him to return the Kohinoor diamond".

The remarks quickly drew sharp rebukes. In a strongly worded editorial, the New York Post said, "Of course, Zohran Mamdani couldn't manage a decent welcome for the king of England: That would've required maturity, grace and humility that our mayor just doesn't have".

The board further argued that Mamdani "did the absolute minimum" during the royal visit, noting he agreed "belatedly" to "just one brief meeting with the monarch, at the 9/11 Memorial – though the royal visited several sites across town".

"Showing respect for the king is showing respect for Britain, yet Mamdani couldn't resist showing disrespect," the editorial added, contrasting the reception with past visits by British royals, including a ticker-tape parade for Queen Elizabeth II organised in 1957 by then mayor Robert Wagner.

The criticism also targeted Mamdani’s remarks on the diamond.

"But Mamdani couldn't bother with any such gestures; he couldn't even set aside his obsession with colonialism, telling reporters he hoped to push Charles ‘to return the Kohinoor diamond’,” the editorial said, describing the mayor’s conduct as a lapse in judgment tied to his office.

A separate article went further, saying Mamdani behaved "like a petulant teen" and argued that the king’s visit to honour victims of the 9/11 attacks "was not an opportunity for a freshman barb on colonialism, and to imply that this crown jewel belongs to India".

"Anyway, what is Mamdani's standing to demand the diamond – has he appointed himself a representative of India's government? It wasn't just the mayor's rudeness, but his tone and demeanour. Mamdani did his best version of a petulant teen betraying intolerable boredom," the article added.

Despite the controversy, the actual meeting between Mamdani and King Charles appeared brief and cordial.

A video circulating on social media showed the two exchanging greetings alongside other officials, including New York Governor Kathy Hochul.

According to reports citing City Hall, the pair "exchanged pleasantries" before the mayor departed the event after about an hour.

King Charles and Queen Camilla also visited community initiatives such as Harlem Grown, highlighting their broader itinerary in the city.

The Kohinoor diamond itself remains at the centre of a long-running historical and political debate.

The 105.6-carat gem, now displayed at the Tower of London, has passed through multiple rulers, including Mughal emperors, Persian shahs, Afghan emirs and Sikh maharajas.

It was formally handed over to Queen Victoria in 1849 by Maharaja Duleep Singh under the Treaty of Lahore during British colonial rule. It was worn by the Queen Mother on her crown in 1937.

India has repeatedly asserted that the diamond was taken under duress and remains a "valued piece of art with strong roots in our nation's history," continuing to explore avenues for its return.

The United Kingdom, however, maintains legal ownership based on the 19th-century agreement.

Mamdani’s remarks have thus reignited a sensitive debate that intersects history, diplomacy and symbolism.

While his comments resonate with longstanding calls for repatriation, critics argue that the timing and setting—during a memorial for terror victims—were inappropriate.

As reactions continue to unfold, the episode is likely to shape both political discourse in New York and broader conversations around colonial-era artefacts.

- Ends

With PTI inputs