Candle March Held in Jamshedpur Over Death of Khamenei  

Jamshedpur: Following reports of the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, hundreds of men and women held a massive candle march under the banner of the Husseini Mission to condemn the strikes, labelling the incident as “global bullying.”

Two Marches, One Voice

The protest began as two separate processions that converged in the heart of the city:

• Mango Chowk: A large group of women, led by Annie Hussain and Tahzeeb Rizvi, marched toward the city centre.
• Shastri Nagar: A male-led procession, headed by Raees Rizvi and Moon Rizvi, moved simultaneously.

Both groups met at the Sakchi Roundabout, forming a massive assembly that brought traffic to a standstill as protesters voiced their opposition to U.S. and Israeli military actions.

“A Fight for Justice and Palestine”

Addressing the gathered crowd, Maulana Zaki Haider, the Pesh Imam, delivered a stirring speech. He emphasized that the “martyrdom” of Khamenei would only strengthen the resolve of those supporting Iran and the cause of a free Palestine.

“Iran’s spirit will not break,” Maulana Haider stated. “The time has come for the world to unite against oppressive forces and for the total liberation of Palestine.”

Key Protester Statements:

• Annie Hussain: Argued that Iran’s nuclear energy efforts were peaceful and that the strikes were based on false pretexts.
• Babar Khan: Condemned “American hegemony” and stated that the community would no longer tolerate “unilateral bullying” on the global stage.

Security and Local Impact

Jamshedpur Police remained on high alert throughout the evening, deploying a heavy force to monitor the route. While the protest remained peaceful, it highlighted the deep local impact of the escalating West Asian crisis. Prominent local figures, including Munir Hasan, Qamar Haider, and Rashid Rizvi, were among the many seen at the forefront of the vigil.