Members of the All India Shia Council staged peaceful protests in Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka, to condemn the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a US-Israeli strike. Demonstrators gathered to mourn the leader, chanting slogans against the United States and Israel.
One participant, whose daughter is interning in Iran, stated, “My daughter is safe there, but she shared how devastated she feels over the martyrdom of our supreme leader.”
Authorities bolstered police presence in the area and worked closely with local religious figures to preserve peace and order.
Nationwide Outrage Across India
Mourning rallies and demonstrations spread throughout India as Shia groups voiced grief and condemnation. The All India Shia Council led a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, echoing calls against the US and Israel.
In Jammu and Kashmir, men, women, and children assembled outside the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) headquarters in Srinagar. Protesters carried Khamenei’s portraits, supportive banners for Iran, black flags, and performed traditional Nauha chants. The events stayed calm throughout.019
Violence Flares in Pakistan
Protests in Pakistan intensified in certain locations. Thousands rallied in Skardu, setting a United Nations office ablaze. In Karachi, furious crowds breached the US consulate, clashing with security personnel. Security forces reportedly fired on demonstrators, resulting in more than 30 fatalities.
Worldwide Shia Communities Grieve
The global Shia population reflects on Khamenei’s enduring religious and political legacy through widespread vigils, from the Middle East to South Asia.10
