Protests and condolence meetings were held across several states on Sunday and Monday following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a joint U.S.-Israeli military operation.
Demonstrations were reported in Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh, largely led by members of the Shia Muslim community.
In Jammu and Kashmir, authorities imposed restrictions across all districts of the Kashmir Valley on Monday after large-scale protests a day earlier, WION reported. Thousands of men and women marched peacefully towards Srinagar’s Lal Chowk on Sunday, prompting security forces to erect barricades and seal areas around the Ghanta Ghar clock tower. A heavy deployment of security personnel was put in place, and movement towards the site was restricted.
Police also sealed parts of Srinagar and curtailed high-speed mobile internet services across the Valley, according to PTI and other local reports. Authorities announced the closure of schools and colleges for two days and postponed scheduled examinations as a precautionary measure. Officials cited concerns over potential law and order issues.
Chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq called for a shutdown across the Kashmir division, a move that received support from former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.
Local Member of Parliament Aga Ruhullah Mehdi criticised the restrictions, describing the closure of Lal Chowk as unjustified and urging authorities not to treat expressions of grief as a security threat.
In New Delhi, hundreds gathered at Jantar Mantar for a protest organised by the All India Shia Council, raising slogans against the United States and Israel, media reports said.
In Lucknow, members of the Shia community assembled near the Bara Imambara mosque, while community leaders announced a three-day mourning period. Similar mourning announcements were made in parts of Rajasthan and Karnataka, where condolence meetings were held at religious centres.
In Mumbai, protesters took to the streets condemning the killing, footage from news agency ANI showed. Demonstrations were also reported in Ranchi and Bhopal, where political groups and community organisations criticised the U.S.-Israeli action and called for restraint.
Khamenei, 86, had led Iran since 1989 and was the country’s highest authority, overseeing the armed forces and key state institutions. His death followed a joint U.S.-Israeli strike targeting Iranian facilities amid escalating tensions over Tehran’s nuclear programme. Iran has vowed retaliation.
Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday said it was “deeply concerned” about recent developments in Iran and the Gulf region, urging all sides to exercise restraint and prioritise diplomacy to de-escalate tensions.