The Union Home Ministry has issued an advisory to all states, urging heightened vigilance against potential communal violence amid the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, following the airstrikes on Iran by Israel and the United States.
In a letter dated February 28, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) warned that developments in the Middle East could have "ripple effects" within India, with various organisations likely to stage protests and demonstrations.
The MHA advised state governments to monitor and identify radical pro-Iran preachers delivering “inflammatory sermons” that could incite communal tensions. The letter also emphasised the importance of intensified intelligence sharing and preventive measures to maintain law and order.
The US and Israeli strikes on Iran have heightened fears of a regional war, with Iran retaliating by targeting neighboring countries that house US military bases. India is closely monitoring the geopolitical consequences and the potential exploitation of the situation by extremist elements seeking to escalate tensions within the country.
Several cities have witnessed protests in response to the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In Kashmir, protests erupted in Lal Chowk, Saida Kadal, Budgam, Bandipora, Anantnag, and Pulwama. promptig authorities to throttle mobile internet speeds.
Police have urged all media organisations to exercise the highest standards of responsibility and professionalism in their coverage of the ongoing events.
In Delhi, security has been tightened in various parts of the city in response to protests and gatherings mourning Khamenei's death. Additional police personnel have been deployed in sensitive areas, particularly around diplomatic missions and neighborhoods with significant Shia populations.
Uttar Pradesh also witnessed large-scale protests led by Shia Muslims. On Sunday evening, a significant group of protesters held a candlelight march from the Chhotta Imambara to the Bada Imambara in Lucknow.
