Alipura (Karnataka), March 1 Forty years after his visit to this unremarkable village, the residents of the Shia-dominated area are mourning the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed during the ongoing US-Israel attack.
On Sunday, a somber atmosphere enveloped the village in Chikkaballapur district, which is 70 km from the state capital, Bengaluru. Many people could not hold back their tears during a special prayer organized to mourn Khamenei's passing. The village has a hospital named after him.
Of the 30,000 residents, the majority are Shia.
Villagers announced a three-day mourning period as a tribute to the Shia supreme leader.
Residents observed silence, and shops and commercial establishments voluntarily closed.
All celebrations and public events have been suspended to maintain a peaceful environment in the village.
According to villagers, Ali Khamenei visited Alipura in 1986, following an invitation. After that visit, the bond between the village and Iran strengthened significantly, they said.
A hospital was later built in the village in his name, symbolizing the community's respect and reverence for Khamenei.
Villagers said that many families in Alipura maintain direct connections with Iran. Some residents live there, having settled for higher education and employment.
In this context, the news of Khamenei's death came as a shock to the villagers, with a pall of gloom descending over Alipura.
On Sunday, a special prayer was organized in the Shia mosque to pray for Khamenei's soul to rest in peace. During the prayers, people wept, saying such an incident should not have happened.
The mourners wore black attire, held black flags, and marched, condemning the killing of Khamenei, who was reportedly killed in the shelling.
Holding Khamenei's photograph, they raised slogans.