Aligarh, March 2: Outrage continues to sweep India following reports of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death in an alleged Israeli-American airstrike. At the heart of this wave of protests, students at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) took to the campus streets, voicing their grief and fury over the loss.
Local residents joined the AMU students in a show of solidarity, transforming the university grounds into a hub of dissent. One protester, who spent nine years in Iran, shared with reporters, ‘We held demonstrations in the afternoon and again at night after learning of Khamenei’s passing. Our resolve won’t waver; we’ll keep raising our voices.’
He issued a direct message to Israel and the US: ‘Your attacks won’t dismantle Iran. The nation stands resilient and will respond with equal strength. Khamenei proved he would never bow down.’
Another demonstrator described Khamenei as ‘a leader of humanity,’ emphasizing the protest’s focus on honoring his legacy. The gatherings underscore a deepening sense of solidarity with Iran amid escalating Middle East tensions.
This fervor echoes earlier events in Lucknow, where the Muslim community poured onto the streets in mourning. Shopkeepers in Old Lucknow shut their businesses for three days, and historic sites like the Bara Imambara were closed as a mark of respect.
Prominent Shia cleric Maulana Syed Kalbe Jawad urged people of conscience to close shops and businesses as a tribute during this period of sorrow. Black flags fluttered as symbols of grief, with posters of Khamenei adorning major imambaras. In a bold statement, Israeli and American flags were placed on the ground at the Chhota Imambara’s main gate, signifying rejection of the accused aggressors.
These protests highlight growing anti-Western sentiments in India, fueled by perceptions of foreign interference in sovereign nations. As voices amplify, questions loom over how these events might influence diplomatic ties and regional stability. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely to ensure public safety while respecting the right to peaceful assembly.