SRINAGAR/LUCKNOW: Ladakh and UP saw a coordinated surge of pro-Iran sentiment as thousands rallied in Kargil district Wednesday and prominent Shia clerics in Lucknow called for sanctions relief, dialogue and Indian support for Tehran.In Kargil, a Shia-majority district in eastern Ladakh bordering PoK, large crowds gathered at multiple locations to back Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and denounce the US and Israel. The rally, organised by Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust, was led by chairman Sheikh Sadiq Rajai, who accused Washington and Tel Aviv of seeking to dominate the region and destabilise Iran.“We have come out to protest against America and to stand with the brave people of Iran,” Rajai said, urging Islamic nations to unite against what he called US “evil designs”.Demonstrators waved banners praising Ruhollah Khomeini and Khamenei and shouted slogans in Persian and Urdu, while shouting “down with America” and “down with Israel”. Several women addressed the gathering. Police and paramilitary forces were deployed. Officials said protests remained peaceful and also took place in some blocks Thursday.Asgar Ali Karbali, a senior community activist in Ladakh, said Iran has long supported oppressed communities from Lebanon to Palestine. “With this huge protest in Kargil today, we want to show that Iran is not alone,” he said.On Thursday, Shia clerics and community figures in UP echoed support for Tehran and warned against escalation.Maulana Kalbe Jawwad, a leading cleric in Lucknow, said Western sanctions have crippled Iran’s economy and created unrest. “On allegations of uranium enrichment for nuclear weapons, Western powers imposed sanctions on a Shia country. But in reality, they want Iran’s oil… Remove the sanctions, and Iran will flourish,” he said, urging New Delhi to back Tehran rather than remain neutral.Maulana Yasoob Abbas of All India Shia Personal Law Board accused the US and Israel of fuelling unrest and dismissed reports of mass casualties, saying life in Iran was normal. Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali, chairman of Islamic Centre of India and Shahi Imam of Lucknow, said war was no solution and called on the UN to intervene, stressing Iran’s sovereignty and historic ties with India.From Kintoor village in Barabanki district — about 30km southeast of Lucknow and ancestral home of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s grandfather — Dr Rehan Kazmi said Western media was distorting events, citing family contacts in Iran who reported large pro-govt rallies.“If Israel or the US attacks, Iran will respond strongly. They have been prepared for this for the past 20 years,” Kazmi said.
