NYC Mayor Mamdani Raises Kohinoor Issue During King Charles Visit, Reaffirms Anti-Colonial Stand

New York, April 2026 : New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has reiterated his strong anti-colonial stance by suggesting that the United Kingdom should return the historic Kohinoor diamond to India, describing it as a symbol of colonial-era plunder. His remarks came ahead of a brief interaction with King Charles III during the monarch’s visit to the United States.

Speaking before attending a ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, Mamdani said that if he had a private opportunity to speak with the King, he would urge him to return the Kohinoor diamond. The mayor, however, maintained that his official engagement would remain limited to the solemn occasion of paying tribute to victims of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks.

“I would probably encourage him to return the Kohinoor diamond,” Mamdani said, underlining his ideological position shaped by anti-colonial thought. Despite his public remarks, the actual interaction between Mamdani and King Charles during the event was brief and took place amid a crowded gathering of dignitaries. Video footage showed a cordial exchange, though the content of their conversation was not disclosed.

King Charles was in the United States as part of a four-day visit coinciding with preparations for the country’s 250th Independence anniversary. His itinerary included paying respects at the 9/11 memorial, visiting community initiatives, engaging with business leaders, and attending cultural events. At the memorial ceremony, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg escorted the King and Queen Camilla, rather than Mamdani, reflecting the current mayor’s decision to keep his participation minimal and protocol-driven.

Mamdani’s position is seen as consistent with his intellectual background and political ideology. He is the son of Mahmood Mamdani, a noted academic who has written extensively on colonial history and its long-term global consequences. The mayor had earlier indicated that he was not particularly enthusiastic about the royal visit and would confine his involvement strictly to official obligations.

The Kohinoor diamond remains one of the most contentious symbols of colonial legacy. Currently housed in the Tower of London, the 106-carat gem is part of the British Crown Jewels. Its origins trace back to India, where it was mined in present-day Andhra Pradesh, specifically from the historic Kollur mines region.

The diamond was taken by the East India Company in 1849 following the Second Anglo-Sikh War. It was acquired from the then 11-year-old ruler Maharaja Duleep Singh under controversial circumstances. While Britain maintains that the transfer was legal, critics argue that it was a coerced handover during colonial rule.

Since gaining independence in 1947, India has repeatedly sought the return of the Kohinoor, viewing it as a symbol of cultural and historical dispossession. Prominent voices, including Shashi Tharoor, have described the diamond as emblematic of the broader extraction of wealth and heritage during the British Empire.

Other countries, including Pakistan and Afghanistan, have also laid claim to the diamond, reflecting its complex historical journey across regions. Mamdani, however, did not specify which nation should ultimately receive it, focusing instead on the broader principle of restitution.

His remarks have once again brought global attention to debates over colonial-era artefacts and their rightful ownership. While no official discussion on the matter took place during the King’s visit, the issue continues to resonate in diplomatic and cultural conversations worldwide, highlighting unresolved questions of history, justice, and restitution.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)