Ayatollah Khamenei death: Indian Shia leader calls for calm
Amid protests following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Maulana Hasan Ali Rajani, Vice President of the All India Shia Personal Law Board, has strongly condemned demonstrations taking place in India and other countries.
Addressing the issue, Rajani said, “We offer our condolences to those who died there, and we share their grief. But every country should keep its disputes within its own country and not bring them elsewhere… We strongly condemn the protests taking place across the world today, whether they are in India or Pakistan, because those who are dying are not our leaders… Shias around the world respect Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani of Iraq, but do not respect any cleric from Iran. They give some money to people here for political reasons and incite protests all over the world, thus spoiling the atmosphere of the entire world… We urge everyone to remain loyal to their countries and keep their country’s affairs confined to their own…”
He also referred to Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani of Iraq, saying that Shias globally hold him in respect, while asserting that political motivations were behind certain protests.
#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra: On the Shia community’s protests following the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Maulana Hasan Ali Rajani, Vice President of the All India Shia Personal Law Board, says, “We offer our condolences to those who died there, and we… pic.twitter.com/U9BdokGQZ5
— ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2026
Meanwhile, in Jammu and Kashmir, clashes were reported at Shalteng on the Srinagar-Baramulla Highway, where angry young protesters resorted to heavy stone throwing at security forces. Some private vehicles were damaged during the unrest.
After several hours, police dispersed the protesters and restored traffic on the highway. Officials described the episode as the first instance in years of such clashes and stone pelting in Srinagar.
On Sunday, thousands had gathered at Lal Chowk to protest against Khamenei’s killing. The demonstration remained peaceful, and police allowed people to march and assemble at the city centre.
Slogans such as “Allah o Akbar, Khamenei rehbar (God is great and Khamenei is the leader)” were raised during the protest.
Police later sealed off Lal Chowk with metal barricades and concertina wire at all entry and exit points. Mobile internet services were restricted, and schools and colleges across Kashmir were closed for two days as a precautionary measure.
A heavy deployment of police and paramilitary personnel has been put in place to enforce control orders amid heightened tensions and public anger over the killing of Khamenei. Authorities said the situation remains under close watch.
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