Vijayawada, March 2 Members of the Muslim community held a peaceful candlelight protest rally in Vijayawada, condemning the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint US-Israeli military strike.
A joint attack by the US and Israel against Iran on February 28 triggered a war in West Asia, and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the attack.
The attack drew sharp reactions from sections of the Muslim community in Andhra Pradesh.
The Andhra Pradesh state president of Muhammad Ali Muslim Welfare Association, Mushtaq Ali, organized the candle march on Sunday night and accused US President Donald Trump of an authoritarian attitude.
"We strongly condemn the attack on Iran and the martyrdom of Ayatollah Khamenei. You (Trump) claim to be a messenger of peace, but you are raining bombs on children and civilians. What message do you want to send by destroying homes and killing innocent people?" Mushtaq Ali asked while speaking to reporters.
He alleged that targeting civilians in the name of war sends a dangerous message, and he said that conflicts should not harm ordinary people. He further stated that wars should be confined to military establishments and not civilian areas.
Mirza Ali Imam, a Muslim cleric who participated in the rally, said the gathering was organized to express solidarity with the oppressed and to protest against those responsible for the killing of the Iranian leader.
"The supporter of the oppressed and opponent of the oppressors has left this world. We have gathered here to show that we stand with the oppressed, not with the oppressors," he said.
Altaf Raza, another Muslim cleric, also addressed the gathering, recalling historical figures and asserting that faith would endure despite challenges.
He maintained that no amount of technological or military strength could overpower divine will, and he said that the community would continue to voice its concerns through peaceful means.
Participants carried candles and placards during the rally, calling for peace and justice.
Similarly, CPI(M) leader K Narayana participated in a protest in Guntur district on Monday, criticizing what he termed American imperialist policies and branding certain US actions as "terror-like."
"We oppose American imperialist policies and US interventions abroad, and we urge collective global resistance to such terror-like actions," said Narayana.
He asserted that US policies threaten global stability, alleging that nations resisting American interests are targeted, and he cited developments in Iraq, Venezuela, and Iran as examples.
He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to pursue an independent foreign policy, cautioning that closer ties with Israel at the expense of Iran could affect energy security and fuel prices.
India imports significant crude oil, and escalating tensions may trigger fuel price hikes and economic pressure, besides affecting Indian workers in Gulf nations, he added.