Lucknow, 2 March 2026 : The news of the death of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has caused deep grief and anger in the Shia community in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh. For the second consecutive day today, a demonstration and majlis will be organized in the Chowk area in which thousands of people from the Shia community will participate. Earlier, there was a gathering of people in Chota and Bada Imambara from Sunday morning till late night. During this time, people took out rallies several times from Chhota Imambara to Bada Imambara and in the evening took out a candle march and protested against America and Israel by raising slogans of ‘Murdabad’.
The people protesting said that the martyrdom of our leader Khamenei will not go in vain. Before the demonstration on Monday, the All India Shia Personal Law Board had announced three days of mourning. Board General Secretary Maulana Yasoob Abbas asked the people of Shia community to put up black flags on their homes and wear black clothes. Chhota and Bada Imambara will remain closed for tourists till March 3.
Amidst the demonstrations by people of Shia community, UP Police has issued high alert in the entire state including Lucknow and is monitoring with drones. DGP Rajiv Krishna told the media that vigilance has been increased in all those districts where the population of Shia community is high. These include Lucknow, Jaunpur, Azamgarh, Ghazipur, Muzaffarnagar and Meerut. Earlier, CM Yogi also asked the officers to be cautious in the meeting on Sunday morning.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (86 years) was targeted in joint US-Israel strikes on Saturday. Iranian media described it as ‘martyrdom’ and declared 40 days of national mourning. US President Donald Trump also confirmed his death. This incident is further increasing tension in the Middle East.
Emotional demonstration of Shia community in Lucknow:
The death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei aroused anger among the Shia community of Lucknow and thousands of men and women came on the streets. Many women were crying bitterly. During this, a woman said, my Khamenei has been killed by betrayal, if one Khamenei is killed, thousands of Khamenei will rise up. Lamentations (subak) and marsiya were recited.
Effigy burning and march: Effigies of Trump and Netanyahu were burnt. Candle marches and protests were taken out from Chhota Imambara to Bada Imambara. The roads from Rumi Gate to Hussainabad were filled with people.
Crowd remained till late night: Crowd remained at Bada Imambara till late night. Imambara was closed for tourists. Shops in and around Hussainabad market remained closed, as if there was an atmosphere of bandh.
Three days of mourning: Shia leaders such as Maulana Kalbe Jawad and Yasoub Abbas declared three days of mourning. Black flags are being hoisted on houses. Even today (2 March) majlis and demonstrations are continuing in the Chowk area.
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