Widespread protests have erupted across South Asia following the assassination of Iranian leader Ali Khamenei, as growing numbers of people take to the streets to denounce the US-Israeli war on Iran and their governments’ muted response.
From Pakistan to India and Kashmir, thousands have joined demonstrations condemning what many describe as an act of aggression and a violation of national sovereignty. The killing of Khamenei has triggered a wave of outrage across the region, particularly among communities that view him as a key political and spiritual figure.
Reports indicate that protests broke out immediately after news of the assassination spread, with mobilizations continuing in the days that followed. In several areas, demonstrations were met with state repression.
In Pakistan, security forces opened fire on protesters gathered near US diplomatic facilities in cities including Karachi and Lahore, leaving more than a dozen people dead. Demonstrations were also reported in Gilgit-Baltistan and other regions, with protesters expressing solidarity with Iran and condemning US and Israeli actions.
Across Jammu and Kashmir, thousands defied security restrictions to march in cities such as Srinagar and Kargil, demanding an end to the war. Protesters broke through barricades and staged large anti-war mobilizations, reflecting deep anger over the escalation.
The protests across South Asia echo a broader regional reaction, as communities respond not only to the assassination but also to the wider war that began on February 28. Thousands have taken to the streets and in places of worship, underscoring the scale of public anger.
At the same time, governments across the region are facing criticism for what many see as weak or evasive responses. Despite the scale of the attack and its regional implications, several states have stopped short of issuing strong condemnations of the US and Israel.
Opposition parties and grassroots organizations have sharply criticized this stance. In India, the Indian National Congress warned that the assassination reflects a dangerous return to regime change interventions and unilateral military action. Left parties and people’s movements have also mobilized protests nationwide, calling on the government to uphold international law and take a clear stand against the war.
In Pakistan, progressive organizations such as the Mazdoor Kisan Party and the Haqooq-e-Khalq Party have condemned the attack as imperialist aggression and expressed solidarity with the Iranian people. Demonstrations organized by these groups have denounced both US-Israeli actions and their own government’s alignment with Western powers.
Beyond political outrage, there is also growing anxiety over the safety of millions of South Asian migrant workers in the Gulf region. Countries like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh have large expatriate populations whose livelihoods and lives are now at risk as the war intensifies.
