Authorities imposed restrictions in Kashmir while internet speeds were slowed following a protest call by an amalgam of religious organizations against the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a US-Israeli strike.
Today’s strike call came a day after thousands of protesters in several parts of Kashmir, including the city of Srinagar, took to the streets on Sunday against the killing of Khamenei.
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Authorities sealed off Lal Chowk, the center of the city, which witnessed a huge gathering of mourners on Saturday. Protesters even prayed at the memorial in Srinagar.
The Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulama (MMU), an amalgam of religious organizations, called for an all-out peaceful strike. Kashmir Valley chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq condemned Khamenei’s killing and called for a shutdown on Monday.
“Deeply saddened and outraged by the brutal killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei by the US and Israel, which shook the Muslim world. The people of J&K jointly condemn this brutality and continued aggression against Iran, as well as the massacre of innocent female students in Minab,” Mirwaiz said.
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Khamenei was killed in a strike by Israel and the United States, Iranian state media confirmed early Sunday morning.
Protests were held in Lal Chowk, Saida Kadal, Budgam, Bandipora, Anantnag and Pulwama in the Valley, officials said.
The religious leaders said this is a moment when Muslims can rise above division and stand united and “register our protest and solidarity against this killing and continued aggression in the region”.
About 15,000 Shiites live in the Kashmir Valley. While Khamenei was a prominent religious leader of Shia Muslims, he was equally regarded by Sunnis in the region for his stance against Palestine and against Israel and the US.
CM Omar appeals for peace
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah appealed to all communities to maintain calm, observe peace and avoid any action that could lead to tension or unrest.
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha also appealed to all communities to remain calm and united and promised that the government is closely monitoring the situation in West Asia, with senior officials of the Union Territory coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs for the safety and welfare of students and others from J&K who are in the region.
Assessing the security situation in J&K in a meeting attended by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, DGP Nalin Prabhat and other senior officials, including all deputy commissioners and SSPs, Sinha said, “Peace is our collective responsibility”. He urged all communities to observe it.
Schools closed, exams postponed
The Jammu and Kashmir government also announced that schools and colleges would remain closed on Monday to protest against Khamenei’s killing.
“The Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulama (MMU) has called for a total strike tomorrow. We urge people to observe it with unity, dignity and complete peace,” he added.
This is the first call for a shutdown by Mirwaiz and other clerics in the Valley since the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir in 2019.
Spontaneous protests broke out on Saturday in areas with large Shiite populations, officials said, adding that protesters marched peacefully through the streets shouting anti-American and anti-Israel slogans.
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“Schools have been sent to open tomorrow after a long winter break, but due to protests and calls for closure, they will be closed again tomorrow,” J&K Education Minister Sakina Itoo said.
Deeply saddened and outraged by the brutal killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei by the US and Israel, which shook the Muslim world.
The Jammu and Kashmir Selection Board (JKSSB) has also postponed its OMR-based written test for the post of laboratory assistant in the Ministry of Home Affairs at the last minute. The exam was to be held on the territory of the Union on March 1 (Sunday).
The board said that the new exam date will be announced separately on the official website. Although it did not give a reason for the delay, sources said the decision was taken in light of the protests that erupted after Khamenei’s killing.
