Nationwide Mourning in India Following Death of Iranian Leader Khamenei
Protests Erupt Across India
Srinagar/Lucknow, Mar 1: In a show of solidarity and sorrow, Shia mourners across India, from Kashmir to Karnataka, took to the streets to protest the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a US-Israel airstrike in Tehran on Saturday. This tragic event has sparked widespread outrage and mourning globally, including in India.
In Kashmir, home to approximately 1.5 million Shias, significant protests occurred in areas such as Lal Chowk, Saida Kadal, Budgam, Bandipora, Anantnag, and Pulwama. Protesters expressed their grief by beating their chests and chanting anti-US and anti-Israel slogans.
Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Minister Omar Abdullah voiced his deep concern regarding the situation in Iran, urging for calm amidst the protests. His office released a statement appealing to all communities to maintain peace and avoid actions that could escalate tensions.
Various Muslim organizations across the nation have declared a mourning period lasting several days and have planned protests for Monday in honor of Khamenei.
In Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, numerous individuals gathered near the Bara Imambara mosque, chanting slogans while women mourners held photos of Khamenei, visibly distressed.
Maulana Yasoob Abbas, the general secretary of the All India Shia Personal Law Board, announced plans to burn effigies of US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the upcoming protests.
The Shia community has declared a three-day mourning period, during which members will wear black attire, display black flags at their homes, and hold special prayers.
In Punjab, despite a small Muslim population, protests erupted in Ludhiana, where effigies were set ablaze. Shahi Imam Maulana Mohammad Usman Rahmani Ludhianvi led the protests, calling for a week-long national mourning from the central government.
Rehmani urged Muslims worldwide to unite against such adversities, labeling Khamenei a martyr and condemning his assassination.
In Ajmer, the Shia community also announced a three-day mourning period, with community leader Syed Asif Ali encouraging members to observe this time with solemnity and refrain from celebrations.
Condolence gatherings were held at Dargah in Dorai and Taragarh in Ajmer, where community members prayed and expressed their sorrow over Khamenei's death.
Meanwhile, several devotees from Jodhpur found themselves stranded in Dubai due to canceled return flights following recent attacks near Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Protests were also reported in New Delhi, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Telangana, where demonstrators, holding posters of Khamenei, voiced their anger against US and Israeli military actions.
Conversely, in Karnataka's Chikkaballapur district, where Khamenei had previously visited, residents observed a moment of silence, and local businesses voluntarily closed. Villagers declared a three-day mourning period to honor the Shia leader, suspending all celebrations and public events to foster a peaceful atmosphere.