Khamenei assassination: Protests rock Kashmir, MMU calls for strike on Monday

Srinagar: Massive protests rocked Kashmir after the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei by the United States and Israel.

Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulama (MMU), a conglomerate of Islamic religious organisations in Jammu and Kashmir, has called for a voluntary strike on Monday.

It was after a long time that Kashmir witnessed protests on such a scale. Crying and shrieking, protestors beating their chests, carried pictures of Ayatollah Khamenei as they marched through Kashmir streets.

Protests also erupted at Srinagar city center of Lal Chowk, where people carrying black flags and portraits of the Ayatollah raised slogans decouncing the assassination.

Police and security forces were deployed in strength to maintain law and order. Top police and security forces were on the ground to supervise the law and order machinery.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep concern over the unfolding developments in Iran, including the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

"I appeal to all communities to remain calm, uphold peace, and avoid any actions that could lead to tension or unrest. We must also ensure that those who are mourning in Jammu and Kashmir are allowed to grieve peacefully. The police and administration should exercise utmost restraint and refrain from using force or restrictive measures. The Government of Jammu & Kashmir is in close coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, to ensure the safety and well-being of J&K residents, including students, currently in Iran,” Omar Abdullah, J&K Chief Minister, wrote on X.

Strongly condemning the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti called it a `tragic and shameful point in history'.

“Today marks a deeply tragic & shameful point in history with Israel & USA boasting about the killing of Iran’s beloved leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. What’s more disgraceful & shocking is the explicit & implicit support given by Muslim countries who chose convenience & expedience over conscience. History will stand testaments to who fought for justice & who helped the oppressors. Prayers with the people of Iran. May Allah grant them strength & victory over forces of tyranny & injustice. ” Mehbooba wrote on X.

Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulama (MMU), a conglomerate of Islamic religious organisations in Jammu and Kashmir, called for a voluntary strike on Monday

“MMU appeals to people to observe a voluntary strike tomorrow to register their protest peacefully. It has also appealed to people to register their protests in their own localities peacefully, ensuring that peace and order are not disturbed,” the conglomerate said in a statement.

Chief cleric of Kashmir, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, expressed outrage over the brutal killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei, by the US and Israel.

“The people of J&K collectively condemn this brutality and the ongoing aggression against Iran, as well as the massacre of innocent girl students in Minab. In this hour of immense sorrow, our hearts beat with the resilient people of Iran. May Allah grant strength to the oppressed, elevate the martyrs, and bring swift justice to those responsible for this. This is a moment for the Ummah to rise above divisions and stand united and register our protest and solidarity against this killing and the continued aggression in the region,” he wrote on X.