Congress Criticizes Government's Silence on Ayatollah Khamenei's Assassination

The Congress party has voiced strong criticism against the Indian government's silence following the assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei. Highlighting the lack of parliamentary acknowledgment and official commentary, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh has raised concerns about the implications of this silence on India's foreign policy, particularly regarding its relationships with the US and Israel. The opposition is demanding a discussion in Parliament about the geopolitical situation in West Asia and its domestic repercussions, including the ongoing LPG crisis linked to military tensions in the region. This situation has led to protests outside Parliament, reflecting the growing unease among opposition parties.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 13, 2026, 11:54 IST

Congress Voices Discontent Over Government's Inaction

New Delhi: On Friday, the Congress party expressed its dissatisfaction with the government's response to the assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei, highlighting a notable absence of official commentary on the incident, including a lack of an obituary in Parliament.

In a post on social media platform X, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh remarked, “Ayatollah Khamenei, the constitutional leader of Iran, was assassinated on February 28, 2026, by the US and Israel. The Prime Minister remains silent, the External Affairs Minister is also quiet, and Parliament has yet to acknowledge this with an obituary. While India has rightly condemned Iran's actions against Gulf nations, it has remained silent on the US-Israeli aggression towards Iran. It's important to note that Iran is part of the BRICS+ forum, which India presides over this year.”

He further pointed out, “In May 2024, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi died in a suspicious helicopter crash. The Modi government declared a day of mourning on May 21, 2024, and Parliament held an obituary reference on July 1, 2024, when it reconvened.”

Ramesh criticized the government's reluctance to condemn the assassination, suggesting it stems from a desire to avoid upsetting their 'friends' in the US and Israel.

On Thursday, he stated, “The Opposition is calling for a discussion in both Houses of Parliament regarding the situation in West Asia and its implications for India. However, the Modi government is stubbornly refusing to permit such a debate, clearly indicating its fear. Its foreign policy is already under severe scrutiny.”

The Congress party's critique follows India's expression of condolences on March 5 for the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed during the US-Israel conflict with Iran on February 28. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri signed a condolence book at the Iranian Embassy in the capital. Recently, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has engaged in discussions with his Iranian counterpart, Seyed Abbas Araghchi.

The opposition, spearheaded by Congress, has organized protests outside Parliament, voicing concerns not only about the geopolitical tensions in West Asia but also about domestic issues, including the reported shortage of LPG cylinders nationwide.

The LPG crisis is being attributed to military tensions in the Middle East, particularly disruptions caused by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz. Businesses in various regions, including Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, have adapted by switching to alternative cooking methods, such as induction cooking.