Following the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by a joint operation of Israel and the US, the Shia community in India has expressed its grief and outrage through widespread protests. Demonstrations have been reported in various cities including Srinagar, where Shia Muslims gathered at Lal Chowk to condemn the killing. Moreover, protests have also emerged in Kargil and in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, demonstrating a significant reaction from the community across the nation.

In Lucknow, Shia religious leader Maulana Saif Abbas highlighted the gravity of the situation, labeling the US and Israel’s actions as terrorist attacks that could escalate tensions across the Gulf region. He pointed out that these events could lead to increased violence and unrest not just in that area but around the world, urging global awareness of the implications of such actions.

Maulana Saif Abbas emphasized that Khamenei represented not only Iran but served as a leader for oppressed Muslims and marginalized individuals globally. His assertion reflects a wider sentiment among the Shia community in India, perceiving Khamenei's death as an attack on their identity and beliefs, raising questions about the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and their potential for far-reaching consequences.