Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Sunday criticised the central government led by Narendra Modi for remaining silent after reports of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death. Posting on her official X account, Chaturvedi questioned why not even a tweet had been issued acknowledging the passing of one of the most prominent religious and political figures in the Middle East. She stressed that, as a sovereign nation with historic diplomatic relations with Iran, India should have expressed condolences publicly rather than maintaining complete silence on this significant development.
Iranian state media confirmed that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in combined US-Israel airstrikes, which also claimed the lives of his daughter, son-in-law, and grandchild. US President Donald Trump addressed the news, calling Khamenei “one of the most evil people in history” while announcing his death. The attacks have sent shockwaves through the region, escalating tensions between Tehran, Washington, and Tel Aviv, and prompting widespread international attention on the potential geopolitical consequences of such a high-profile assassination in the Middle East.
Following the announcement of Khamenei’s death, Shia communities in Mumbai and other parts of India observed mourning, while protests were organised to condemn the killing. In Govandi, Mumbai, demonstrators were seen raising slogans of “Khamenei Zindabad,” reflecting the anger and grief within the community. The Govandi Muslim Youth Front had initially planned to hold a protest at Ambedkar Ground but were denied permission by local authorities. Around 500 to 600 protestors instead gathered on an internal road, while the Iranian flag at Mumbai’s Consulate was lowered to half-mast, symbolising official mourning and solidarity with the Iranian nation.