Shia groups hold mourning meet near Bengaluru after Ayatollah Khamenei’s death
Bengaluru: Leaders and members of the Shia community gathered in Alipur village on the outskirts of Bengaluru on Sunday to mourn the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and announced a three-day period of mourning.
According to community representatives quoted by The Observer Post, prayers were offered in remembrance of Khamenei. Black flags were hoisted in the village as residents assembled to pay their respects. Speakers at the gathering condemned the reported joint strikes by the United States and Israel that led to his death, describing the development as concerning for Shia Muslims.
The confirmation of Khamenei’s death reportedly came during the intervening night of February 28 and March 1, after US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly confirmed the killing. The United States and Israel said they had carried out pre-emptive strikes on multiple locations in Iran, including Tehran. Israel named its military action Operation Lion’s Roar, while the United States termed its campaign Operation Epic Fury.
Following the development, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in New Delhi lowered its flag to half-mast and issued a statement calling upon governments around the world to condemn the attack. The statement added that Iran would continue on its chosen path and warned of consequences for those responsible.
Mourning meetings and protests were also reported from parts of Jammu and Kashmir and Lucknow. The Jammu and Kashmir Shia Association expressed grief over Khamenei’s death and offered prayers for the people of Iran.
Speaking to reporters, Shia community leader Syed Samar Kazmi criticised the strike and alleged that Khamenei had been targeted for raising international issues, including Palestine. Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahli, Chairman of the Islamic Centre of India, also condemned the attack and appealed for restraint, calling for international efforts to prevent further escalation.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
'I go to Parliament to create impact, not ruckus': Raghav Chadha rubbishes AAP's allegations
New Delhi (PTI): "I go to Parliament to create impact, not ruckus," said Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha on Saturday as he rejected allegations levelled against him by the Aam Aadmi Party, calling them "false" and part of a "coordinated campaign".
In a video, Chadha dismissed claims that he did not join opposition walkouts, terming the charge a "blatant lie".
He challenged his detractors to cite even a single instance where he failed to participate and said parliamentary proceedings are recorded through CCTV cameras.
Refuting another allegation that he refused to sign a motion related to the Chief Election Commissioner, Chadha said no party leader had asked him, either formally or informally, to sign it. He added that several other MPs from his party had also not signed the motion.
The MP said his focus in Parliament has been on raising public issues such as GST, income tax, air pollution in Delhi, water concerns in Punjab, public healthcare, education, railway passenger issues, menstrual health, unemployment and inflation.
Chadha said that he goes to Parliament to "create impact not ruckus" as it runs on taxpayers' money and it is his responsibility to highlight their concerns. "Every lie will be exposed," he said.
