Srinagar/Lucknow, March 1 Shia mourners took to the streets in various parts of India on Sunday to express outrage and grief over the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the hands of a US-Israeli strike.
Khamenei was killed in a strike in Tehran on Saturday during a joint Israeli-US attack on Iran. Iranian state media confirmed this on Sunday, triggering protests and mourning across the world, including India.
Kashmir, home to about 15 lakh Shias, witnessed major protests at Lal Chowk, Saida Kadal, Budgam, Bandipora, Anantnag and Pulwama, according to officials.
Protesters were seen beating their chests while chanting slogans against the US and Israel.
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep concern over the developments in Iran and appealed for calm amid widespread protests.
"Chief Minister has expressed deep concern over the unfolding developments in Iran, including reports of the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He has appealed to all communities to remain calm, uphold peace, and avoid any actions that could lead to tension or unrest," the Chief Minister's office said in a statement on X.
Abdullah also said that the government is in close coordination with the Union Ministry of External Affairs to ensure the safety and well-being of J-K residents, including students, currently in Iran.
National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah urged the administration to handle the situation with sensitivity and discretion, ensuring that those who wish to mourn can do so respectfully.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the chief priest of Kashmir, said he was deeply saddened and outraged at Khamenei's killing.
"Deeply saddened and outraged at the brutal killing of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei by the US and Israel, which has shaken the Muslim world. The people of JK collectively condemn this brutality and the ongoing aggression against Iran, as well as the massacre of innocent girl students in Minab," Mirwaiz said in a statement on X.
Scores of mourners took to the streets across Ladakh, where men and women, dressed in black and carrying portraits of the slain leader, marched through Leh and Kargil, raising slogans against the United States and Israel.
In Kargil, religious organisations announced a seven-day mourning period, including two days of processions to denounce the US-Israeli military action on Iran. Special prayers were offered for the departed leader, and the groups said condolence gatherings would continue for 40 days at Jamia Masjid Kargil.
Many Muslim bodies and organisations across the country announced a multiple-day mourning period and scheduled their protests on Monday in memory of the Iranian leader.
Uttar Pradesh, which has a significant Muslim population, witnessed widespread anger and sorrow in several places, including Lucknow. A large number of people gathered near the Bara Imambara mosque in the state capital and shouted slogans during the protest, with women mourners clinging to the Iranian leader's photo and weeping.
Describing Khamenei's martyrdom as a huge loss to humanity and the silencing of a strong voice for their rights, the protesters held demonstrations at the Chhota Imambara in Lucknow and condemned the "cowardly" act of the US and Israel.
Similarly, Jaunpur, Muzaffarnagar, and even Aligarh, where students came out to protest, expressed anger and condemned the "cowardly" act of the US and Israel.
Punjab, which has a small Muslim population, also saw protests with effigies being burnt in Ludhiana.
Shahi Imam Maulana Mohammad Usman Rahmani Ludhianvi, who led the protest, demanded that the central government declare a week-long national mourning.
Rehmani urged Muslims worldwide to unite against such challenges, terming Khamenei a great martyr and condemning his killing in the strongest terms.
The Shia community in Ajmer announced a three-day mourning over the killing of Khamenei.
The announcement was made by Syed Asif Ali, a community leader, who appealed to members of the community to observe mourning and refrain from celebrations during the period.
Condolence meetings were also organised at Dargah in Dorai and Taragarh in Ajmer, where members of the community offered prayers and expressed grief over the incident.
Meanwhile, several devotees from Jodhpur are stranded in Dubai after their return flights were cancelled following attacks near Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
In Madhya Pradesh's state capital Bhopal, a condolence meeting was held after Zohr prayers at the Ale Mohammad Shia Jama Masjid in the Karond area.
Addressing the gathering, Imam Bankar Hussain said Khamenei's "martyrdom" and contribution to Islam would always be remembered.
History bears witness that the departure of an individual does not end an ideology or movement, but gives it renewed momentum, Imam Hussain said.
Another cleric, Imam Syed Azhar Hussaini, stated that Khamenei had never discriminated against people based on their sect or community.
In Hyderabad, the Purani Haveli area became a centre of protest when a large number of people, including women and children clad in black, participated in a rally and raised slogans against the US and Israel.
Sentiments also poured out in Jharkhand, where a procession was taken out by the state unit of the All India Shia Personal Law Board from a mosque near Church Road in Ranchi. Participants displayed photos of Khamenei and raised slogans against his killing.
The state unit of All India Shia Personal Law Board said, "The martyrdom of Khamenei will never go in vain. The US and Israel will face the consequences."
In neighbouring Chhattisgarh, posters hailing Khamenei and pamphlets slamming the US and Israel were spotted in the Mominpara area of Raipur. A group of men dressed in black kurtas raised slogans against US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Police personnel were deployed in the area as a precautionary measure, as locals had planned to organise a candle march.
However, in Karnataka’s Alipura village, where Khamenei once visited, shops and commercial establishments were voluntarily closed.
Villagers announced a three-day mourning period as a mark of tribute to the Shia supreme leader.
All celebrations and public events were suspended to maintain a peaceful environment in this village.
According to villagers, Ali Khamenei visited the village in 1986.
