Reports of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s assassination in a US-Israel attack on Iran have ignited protests across Mumbai. From crowded markets to key thoroughfares, demonstrators are voicing their outrage, leading to bolstered security at American, Israeli, and Iranian diplomatic missions. The Mumbai Police Commissioner has placed the force on maximum alert, anticipating disruptions.
Official advisories from the police caution against protests that might turn violent, with intelligence suggesting plots for riots and incendiarism under the guise of rallies. Iran’s announcement of a 40-day national mourning underscores the gravity of the situation, fueling sentiments both for and against the Islamic Republic.
Echoing regional outrage, Shia leader Maulana Kalbe Jawad lambasted international narratives as lies, reminiscent of the pretext used for Iraq’s destruction. He argued that unproven nuclear threats against Iran mirror past deceptions that yielded no results despite invasions.
In a pointed critique, SP veteran Abu Azmi decried the targeted killing as barbaric, especially against an elderly figure. During a press interaction in Mumbai, he raised eyebrows over PM Modi’s timing in Israel just before hostilities erupted, speculating on undisclosed talks. Azmi called on New Delhi to prioritize peace efforts, stressing India’s vulnerability to fallout from the Iran war.
With the city buzzing, authorities are deploying additional resources to maintain order. This local flare-up reflects broader Middle East anxieties, as stakeholders watch for diplomatic breakthroughs.