Masood’s ire turned sharply to Donald Trump, whom he dubbed a ‘heartless lunatic’ fueling global chaos. ‘My heart aches today; the world burns because of this madman,’ he lamented, underscoring Khamenei’s deep respect for Gandhian principles. The leader reportedly drew motivation from Gandhi’s ousting of the British, vowing similar resolve against foes.

Appealing for calm, Masood implored citizens: ‘In our grief, avoid actions that shatter national peace. Khamenei’s loss is irreplaceable.’

Fellow Congress voices amplified the chorus. UP Congress president Ajay Rai praised Khamenei’s unyielding spirit: ‘He battled till martyrdom; a salute to his courage amid US-Israel oppression.’

Pappu Yadav criticized escalating US dominance, pointing to strained India-Iran ties. ‘America’s bullying worries us; India fails its historic partner,’ he observed.

Even Udit Raj advocated pacifism: ‘War solves nothing; talks are the path. The world must address this crisis urgently.’ These responses underscore a rare bipartisan concern over Middle East escalations and their ripple effects on India.