AhlulBayt News Agency: The action has sparked anger among the Shia community. Prominent Shia cleric Maulana Yasoob Abbas has strongly condemned the move, stating that any insult to Ayatollah Khamenei will not be tolerated. He has demanded strict action against those responsible.
In his statement, Maulana Yasoob Abbas said, “on behalf of the All India Shia Personal Law Board I condemn the way Ayatollah Khamenei’s posters are being removed in India, especially in Uttar Pradesh. Not only do I condemn it, but I also demand the suspension of those officials who directly oversaw the removal of Ayatollah Khamenei's poster.”
He further stated: “India and Iran have deep-rooted and long-standing ties. Mischievous elements are trying to create rifts in this relationship through such actions. If such removals continue, the consequences will not be good.”
Commenting on the administration’s action, General Secretary of Majlis-e-Ulema-e-Hind Maulana Kalbe Jawad said, “People are calling us and informing that the administration is threatening them, saying no poster of any foreign leader should be displayed, otherwise legal action will be taken.”
He countered this by saying, “We are not putting up posters of any foreign political leader. These are our religious leaders. Just as Indian Christians can put up posters of the Pope, who is a religious figure from abroad, we too have the right to display pictures of our religious leaders.”
Issuing a warning, Maulana Kalbe Jawad said, “We will continue to display pictures of Ayatollah Khamenei, regardless of what action the administration takes.” He criticized the Indian government saying, “If pictures of Ayatollah Sistani or Ayatollah Khamenei cannot be displayed in this country, then the administration should officially declare that the country is now ruled by Israel, not by the Government of India.”
Addressing Muslims, especially Shias, Maulana Kalbe Jawad urged: “You must put up pictures of Sistani, of Ayatollah Khamenei, and also of Hassan Nasrallah, because they are our religious leaders.”
Following the incident, there has been an outcry on X (formerly Twitter). Many users have condemned the action as an insult to religious sentiments and demanded clarification from the administration.
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