Thousands take to streets in Hyderabad’s Old City to protest killing of Iran’s Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei

Hyderabad: Thousands of Muslims took to the streets of Hyderabad’s Old City on Sunday to condemn the alleged killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei. Protests were also seen in Kashmir's Srinagar and Kargil, Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, Ranchi and Jantar Mantar in Delhi.

The protest, organised by Tanzeem-e-Jafferi in Hyderabad, a prominent socio-political and religious organisation, saw a massive wave of grief and anger as participants gathered to mourn the 86-year-old leader.

The rally in Hyderabad

The protest march commenced at 2 pm from Mazhar-e-Ibne Khatoon in Purani Haveli.

Large crowds of mourners, many dressed in black, carried portraits of the late Ayatollah and raised slogans against the United States and Israel. Similar demonstrations were reported in other parts of India, including widespread protests and a 40-day mourning period declared in Shia-majority areas of Kashmir and Lucknow.

Inter-faith solidarity

A notable moment of the Hyderabad protest was a speech delivered by a Punjabi/Sikh community member, who joined the rally to express interfaith solidarity.

Speaking to the crowd, he emphasised that the loss of a leader who stood for the ‘oppressed’ (Mazloom) transcends religious boundaries. He highlighted the shared history of sacrifice between the Sikh and Shia communities, drawing parallels to the struggle for justice.

“This is not just a loss for Iran or the Shia community; it is a loss for every person who stands against global tyranny. We are here as brothers to show that justice knows no religion,” he said. His video is viral on Instagram as a participant in the protests.

Asaduddin Owaisi

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi says, "We condemn the attacks on Iran. The killing of Ayatollah Khamenei is unlawful and immoral. He was the beloved leader of the Shia community. The war should end and India should play its role in the same. We hope that the central govt of BJP will condemn this killing... 10 million Indians work in the Gulf countries... If the war does not stop, there will be turmoil in the region. Indians are now stranded there."

The Operation Epic Fury airstrikes

The protests were triggered by the confirmation from Iranian state media that Ayatollah Khamenei was killed in a large-scale, coordinated military operation on February 28.

The operation, dubbed Operation Epic Fury by the US and Operation Lion’s Roar by Israel, involved broad airstrikes targeting strategic locations in Tehran and other major Iranian cities. The Israeli Air Force reportedly targeted Khamenei’s central leadership compound on Pasteur Street in Tehran during broad daylight. Alongside the Supreme Leader, his daughter, grandchild, and high-ranking military officials, including Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, were also reported killed.

US President Donald Trump described the strike as a ‘historic opportunity’ for Iranians, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called the assassination a ‘declaration of war against Muslims’.