Farhana Bhatt, a lesser-known Indian actress from a Kashmiri Muslim background, was recently seen mourning the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Speaking about Khamenei, she said he “can never be forgotten,” and that he would “remain alive in our hearts.” She further revealed that she was so upset by the news that she had not slept since the news surfaced after her early morning meal during Ramadan, and that Khamenei’s death deeply shocked many people, particularly Kashmiris (Muslims). She also prayed that Allah would accept his martyrdom.
It struck many as deeply ironic that an actress who freely dresses in outfits exposing her hands, shoulders, midriff, and legs would praise Ayatollah Khamenei as “unforgettable,” when the regime he led enforced rigid dress codes and punished women brutally for far less. For Farhana and many like her, religious identity seems to take precedence over everything else, even as they freely benefit from the protections and liberties of a democratic state. And hence, from Kashmir to parts of southern and central India, Muslims held marches, candlelight vigils, and mourning meetings marked by sloganeering against the US and Israel and visible displays of grief.
In Srinagar and other parts of the Jammu and Kashmir Valley, large numbers of mourners, particularly from the Shia community, first took to the streets in areas such as Lal Chowk, Bemina, and Saida Kadal, carrying black flags and portraits of Khamenei, and chanting slogans. Not only did they express grief, but they also raised anti-United States and anti-Israel slogans. In response, authorities imposed strict restrictions on movement and public assembly, sealing off key areas with barricades and concertina wire, throttling mobile internet services, and declaring school closures for several days as a precaution. As tensions grew, confrontations escalated between protesters and law enforcement, leading police to fire tear gas shells and use lathi (baton) charges to disperse crowds when some tried to move into restricted zones or sensitive locations, which resulted in injuries and tense exchanges. Police and paramilitary forces were deployed in heavy numbers, especially near Lal Chowk, to prevent unrest and control crowds. During these efforts to restore order, some participants were seen abusing Indian authorities as they tried to control the mayhem.
In Lucknow, large gatherings formed near local landmarks, where participants marched in processions and displayed strong emotions. A widely shared video showed a middle-aged woman in a hijab saying, “Khamenei was my lion. If one Khamenei falls, a thousand shall rise. We mothers have birthed sons to sacrifice for this struggle,” illustrating the sentiment among some demonstrators.
In Bengaluru, local Muslim groups held a large mourning gathering near Masjid-e-Askari in Richmond Town. Participants carried photos of Khamenei and expressed grief. Community figures stressed the emotional and spiritual significance of the Iranian leader. In a Shia-majority Karnataka village of about 30,000, a three-day mourning period saw shops closed and events canceled. In Gangavathi town, a group of Muslims reportedly assaulted a Hindu youth, Chandrashekhar, over an Instagram story about Khamenei. They confronted him at his shop, abused him for hurting religious sentiments, and physically attacked him with death threats. Fearing for his life, Chandrashekhar went to the Gangavathi Town Police Station late at night for protection.
In Kolkata, demonstrations followed Khamenei’s assassination. Members of groups such as the All Bengal Minority Youth Federation protested the U.S.-Israel military strike that killed Khamenei. Participants marched with placards and slogans; communist groups also joined Kolkata Muslims in their grief.
Similar gatherings were reported in smaller cities such as Raipur and parts of Delhi, where mourners expressed grief and solidarity. Police in Delhi reported that security was tightened around sensitive localities and diplomatic missions to maintain vigilance. Authorities across India stayed on high alert in the days following the news, with some state governments monitoring inflammatory speeches and exhorting participants to maintain non-violence and dignity. The Union Home Ministry also warned of possible sporadic protests and urged local administrations to manage law and order.
The gatherings, numbering in the thousands, possibly hundred of thousands, were large enough to shock many ordinary Indians, not only for their scale, but also because the late Iranian leader was a deeply controversial figure on the global stage. Again, these groups have never been seen mourning the countless Islamic terrorist attacks on India or the deaths of innocent Indians in previous years. Incidents such as the Pulwama attack on Indian armed forces, the killings of tourists in Pahalgam, and the Red Fort attack, each marked by brutal bloodshed, failed to draw even a fraction of these crowds onto the streets. There were no mass gatherings to mourn national leaders such as Sushma Swaraj or Manmohan Singh, nor for the tragic death of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat in a helicopter crash. Even the passing of former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, a Muslim by faith and widely regarded as one of India’s most revered leaders, did not evoke an ounce of displays of grief. However, these crowds took to the streets to mourn the death of a Muslim leader from Iran, and attacked their own countrymen for it.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
One thing to understand about Indian muslims – and probably Pakis and Bangladeshis as well – is that while there may be the usual sunni/shi’a differences b/w them, they are all supportive of any country/entity that calls itself “islamic”, regardless of whether they’re sunni or shi’a. That explains why Pakistan has been supportive of Iran, despite its tolerance of sipah-e-sahaba, which is an anti-shi’a jihadist group
In fact, a few days ago, muslim thugs assaulted a Hindu for just mentioning Khamenei’s death on his Instagram account. I just wonder what their reactions are to the IRGC lashing out at all its muslim neighbors: even Pakistan declared its support to the Saudis after the Iranians bombed them
In the meantime, India’s supine regime condoled the death of Khamenei, apparently on the grounds that they have to maintain their interests and cannot pick sides. Only problem w/ this: this is a collapsing regime, and a post-regime Iran may not be as appreciative of India’s role in legitimizing that regime. The people who populate India’s foreign policy bureaucracy can’t croak fast enough!
rick says
Just got some disappointing news for Farhana Bhatt. Allah has not accepted his martyrdom and told him “You didn’t do enough against those despicable Americans and Jews”.
THX 1138 says
Consistency and coherence are requirements of reason and not of faith. Once you enter the realm of faith anything goes. Syncretism has always been part of every faith.
James Lincoln says
Anyone who mourns the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei tells me everything I need to know about them.
abu taleb says
No, it is not a paradox. As long as muslims don’t suffer themselves from shariah implementation, they will support shariah because shariah law gives them certain advantages over other people, including other muslims too.
That is why those who suffer under shariah in Islamic countries and flee to western countries, will try to implement the same system they are running from hoping they will get the benefit from implementing shariah law.