Protests have taken place in various parts of India against the military action carried out by the U.S and Israel against Iran, which led to the assassination of its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on 28 February 2026. According to reports, several top leaders, Khamenei's daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter were killed in the attack, as well.
After the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, protests were staged in many parts of the world, including India, which has one of the largest Muslim populations in the world.
For the Shia community, Khamenei was not just a political leader but also considered a Marja-e-Taqlid or source of emulation. There are a lot of Shia Muslims in India who look up to him for inspiration and follow his religious teachings.
His killing is being seen as "martyrdom", which is an integral concept in the Shia belief system. Many protesters cried their hearts out at the protest, holding his portrait in hand, and said he was brave enough to fight against Western influences.
One of the protesters in India said, “This is a message for all that wherever the oppressed are killed, we will raise our voice for them. Khamenei has been killed, but after him, thousands of Khameneis have been born today."
In Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, protesters gathered near Bara Imambara and mourned his death. In Jammu and Kashmir, Protests emerged in Srinagar, Budgam, Bandipora, and Pulwama. Indian Women were also seen participating in the demonstrations actively.
Omar Abdullah expressed concern and urged the protesters to maintain peace in the valley while protesting. Protests not only grieved but also raised anti-Israel and anti-US slogans.
In Delhi, at Jantar Mantar, students raised slogans "Netanhayu murdabad, America murdabad" in response to the brutal joint military act by the US-Israel, which reportedly claimed the lives of its Islamic leader, top leaders, and public.