Mass protests erupt across India and Kashmir after US-Israel kill Khamenei

SRINAGAR/NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — Widespread protests erupted across Jammu and Kashmir and several major Indian cities on Sunday, following reports that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei of Iran was killed by a joint United States–Israeli military strike.

Demonstrators condemned the reported attack as an assault on Muslim dignity, with large crowds expressing solidarity with Iran and broader Muslim communities.

In Srinagar, Baramulla, Budgam and other districts, thousands of protesters — many from Kashmir’s significant Shia Muslim population — took to the streets in an outpouring of anger and grief.

Demonstrators marched through central areas including Lal Chowk, waving black flags, holding portraits of Khamenei and chanting slogans denouncing the United States, Israel and perceived injustice against Muslim nations.

Videos circulated on platforms such as X and Facebook showed sustained crowds chanting “Down with US” and “Long live Muslim unity,” as police monitored the rallies to prevent escalation.

Kashmir’s Shia community has deep cultural and religious ties to Iran. In 1980, then Iranian spiritual leader Ayatollah Khamenei visited Srinagar and addressed a gathering at the historic Jamia Masjid at the invitation of Mirwaiz Molvi Mohammad Farooq — a moment still etched in local political and spiritual memory.

Many Kashmiri protesters referenced this historical connection, viewing Khamenei’s reported death as a loss for the Shia world and a symbolic blow to Muslim solidarity.

Protests also spread to other parts of India with significant Muslim populations. In New Delhi, demonstrators gathered outside the Jama Masjid and the India Gate area, chanting for peace and condemning foreign interference in Muslim nations.

Similar rallies were reported in Hyderabad, Lucknow, Patna and Bhopal, where civil rights organizations and student groups joined local Shia communities in calling for respect for sovereignty and international justice.

Participants held placards reading “Respect Muslim Lives” and “No to War,” while speakers appealed for peaceful protest and pointed to the need for dialogue over military confrontation.

In Mumbai, organizers described the demonstrations as both a tribute to Khamenei’s legacy and a broader plea for harmony among nations, emphasizing that ordinary civilians should not be drawn into the violent fallout of geopolitical tensions. Local leaders called for restraint and diplomatic engagement to address disputes without loss of life.

While many rallies remained peaceful, some smaller gatherings in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar saw localized clashes with police as emotions ran high.

Officers in several states urged protesters to maintain order and assured the public they respected the right to peaceful assembly under Indian law.

Political figures in India responded cautiously. Several opposition leaders expressed concern over civilian casualties and called for calm, while underlining India’s commitment to regional stability.

Religious organizations, including Shia and Sunni bodies, issued statements urging unity, condemning violence and advocating interfaith respect.

The protests highlighted the emotional impact of international conflicts on India’s diverse communities, particularly among those with strong cultural or religious links to nations in crisis. Kashmir’s historical ties with Iran also underscored how geopolitical events can resonate deeply across borders and generations.

As demonstrations continue, authorities have heightened security at key public spaces and diplomatic missions, balancing the protection of civil liberties with the need to maintain public order.