Valley Erupts in Protest After Reports of Ayatollah Khamenei’s Death; Omar Abdullah Appeals for Restraint
Widespread demonstrations swept through the Kashmir Valley on Sunday following reports that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, the Shiya cleric, had been killed in a strike attributed to the United States and Israel.
As word spread early in the day, large crowds gathered at Srinagar’s Lal Chowk, turning the city centre into a site of mourning and protest.
Participants raised slogans against Washington and Tel Aviv and recited marsiya — traditional elegies — to grieve the Iranian leader’s passing.
In the Old City areas of Srinagar, where a sizeable Shia community resides, people poured onto the streets in significant numbers.
Khamenei, regarded by many Shias globally as a spiritual authority, held symbolic importance beyond Iran’s borders.
Demonstrations were not confined to Srinagar alone. Protests were reported from Budgam in central Kashmir, while in Haigam in Baramulla district, agitators temporarily blocked the Srinagar-Baramulla highway.
Similar gatherings emerged in several pockets of north and south Kashmir.
These protests are being described as the most substantial public mobilisations in the Valley since the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in 2019.
Security personnel largely maintained distance to prevent confrontation, though officials indicated they remain alert to ensure the situation does not escalate.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed concern over developments in Iran and urged citizens to exercise restraint. In a message shared by the Chief Minister’s Office, he appealed to all sections of society to preserve harmony and refrain from actions that might inflame tensions.
He also stated that the administration is coordinating with India’s External Affairs Ministry to safeguard residents of Jammu and Kashmir currently in Iran, including students.
Several regional political figures strongly criticised the reported strike. Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, who heads the People’s Democratic Party, described the development as a dark chapter in contemporary history.
In her public statement, she condemned what she termed the overt and covert backing of the action by certain nations and offered prayers for the people of Iran.
Kashmir’s chief cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, also denounced the killing and announced a shutdown call for Monday.
He characterised the incident as deeply distressing for the Muslim world and urged unity among Muslim-majority nations.
The Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulama (MMU), an umbrella body of religious organisations, appealed for a peaceful and dignified observance of the strike.
Amid the tense atmosphere, the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board postponed its OMR-based examination for the post of Laboratory Attendant in the Home Department, which had been scheduled for Sunday across the Union Territory.
While no official explanation was cited, sources indicated the deferment was linked to the prevailing situation. A revised date will be announced later on the board’s website.
Authorities continue to monitor developments closely as the Valley navigates a highly sensitive moment shaped by international events with local resonance.
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