Protest march, mourning in Karnataka’s Alipur over death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

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Residents of Alipur village in Gauribidanur taluk of Chikkaballapur district in Karnataka are gripped by anxiety and grief after members of the Shia Muslim community called for a protest march and three days of mourning, condemning the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The protest is being organised under the leadership of the Anjuman e Jafaria Committee. Located around 70 kilometres from Bengaluru, Alipur has a population of nearly 25,000, of whom an estimated 90% are Shia Muslims.

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According to Iranian state media, Ayatollah Khamenei died following a major attack allegedly carried out by Israel and the United States, with the development confirmed early on Sunday (March 1, 2026). The news has had a deep emotional impact on the residents of Alipur, many of whom share religious and cultural ties with Iran.

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Chikkaballapur Superintendent of Police Kushal Chouksey visited Alipur on Sunday (March 1, 2026) and held discussions with village elders and members of the Anjuman e Jafaria Committee.

“About 90% of the population in this village are Shia Muslims, and the rest are around 100 Hindu families. We held a meeting with the Anjuman e Jafaria Committee members. They have planned a prayer meeting on Sunday (March 1) afternoon, followed by a procession in which around 3,000 people are expected to participate, protesting the death of Khamenei,” Mr. Chouksey said.

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He added that adequate police personnel have been deployed in the village, along with senior officers, to maintain law and order during the mourning period and the proposed procession.

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As a mark of protest and mourning, several shops in Alipur remained voluntarily shut on Sunday (March 1). Members of the Shia Muslim community were seen dressed in black and gathering for prayers.

Ari Askil, a resident of the village, said that Khamenei had visited their village in 1986, an event that deepened their spiritual connection with Iran. He added that many youngsters from the village travel to Iran to pursue religious education and, in recent years, have also enrolled in MBBS programmes there, as higher education in Iran is comparatively more affordable.

Meanwhile, concerns are mounting over the safety of villagers currently stranded in Iran amid the escalating conflict in West Asia. According to the police, around 150 people from Alipur are presently in Iran.

“We have collected details of those stranded in Iran from Alipur village. There are around 150 people from this village currently there. We have prepared a list and shared it with higher officials and the departments concerned to check on them,” Mr. Chouksey added.

The stranded residents had travelled to Iran for various purposes, including pursuing Islamic theological studies, medical education, pilgrimage, and business activities. With tensions rising in the region, families in Alipur are anxiously awaiting updates and hoping for the safe return of their loved ones, according to Mr Askil.

MLAs stranded in Dubai

On Saturday (February 28), Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the State Government would launch a helpline for people from Karnataka stranded in the Gulf countries. He noted that around 32 people from Ballari were stranded in Dubai and that Ballari City MLA Nara Bharath Reddy was also currently in Dubai.