Kashmir Rallies Condemn US-Israel Attacks on Iran
Kashmir Rallies Condemn US-Israel Attacks on Iran
Protests erupt in Srinagar, Bandipora and Budgam as Kashmiris condemn U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran and express solidarity with Tehran.
Security was stepped up in Kashmir amid the ongoing U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict, with protesters taking to the streets in Bandipora, Budgam and Srinagar to condemn the strikes on Iran and to show support for Tehran. In Bandipora, dozens gathered shouting pro-Iranian slogans, while similar scenes were witnessed in Budgam and Srinagar, where demonstrators called for accountability and an end to what they described as regional escalation. The ruling National Conference urged the Centre to evacuate Kashmiris stranded in West Asia through every available route, highlighting the human dimension of the volatile situation. Leaders from the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party, along with Kashmir’s chief cleric, condemned the attacks and stressed restraint amid the tensions.
As the demonstrations unfolded, security agencies tightened measures to prevent any flare-ups. The Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Kashmir’s top cleric who had been scheduled to lead a sermon during Ramadan, remained under house arrest as a precautionary step. A spokesperson for the Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid said the gathering, though spiritual, carried significant political weight given the broader regional conflict. In a post on X, the Mirwaiz condemned the attack on Iran and criticized the lack of international accountability for Israel’s actions, warning that the current course could push the region toward a wider confrontation.
Another prominent voice, Aga Syed Ruhullah, a National Conference leader and MP, questioned the rhetoric around “ending wars” after claims of weeks-long operations, arguing that the actions appear inconsistent with such assurances and warning of hypocrisy. Protesters in the region continued to express anger over what they see as escalating aggression, while some observers noted a strong undercurrent of solidarity with Iran and apprehension about the potential spillover into daily life in Kashmir.
Authorities and community leaders emphasized the need for calm and dialogue, even as the streets reflected a charged atmosphere. The sequence of protests underscores Kashmir’s sensitivity to Middle East developments and the broader implications for regional peace and security.
