by Sanjay Saxena
Two similar incidents recently occurred in Uttar Pradesh’s capital Lucknow and in several districts including Unnao, as well as in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, which have sparked a nationwide debate. During Muharram in India, the Shia community organizes processions, Tazia (replicas of Imam Hussain’s mausoleum), and mourning rituals to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain.
In this sacred month, religious sentiments among Muslims are heightened, especially among the Shia community, who pay deep respects to their spiritual leaders. Generally, politics is kept separate from religion during such occasions, but recently, posters and banners of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were seen during Muharram in several Indian states including Lucknow and Unnao. This has led to a controversy.
The question arises: at a time when relations between Israel and Iran are extremely tense and India is attempting to maintain balanced diplomacy with both nations, why does a section of society appear to be aligning with the government of one side? And that too during a time when Shia Muslims are mourning the martyrdom of Imam Hussain. It may be argued that Khamenei is a religious figure, but the truth is that he currently holds a highly political role as well.
Consequently, local administrations and police in several districts of Uttar Pradesh ordered the removal of these posters, as displaying pictures of foreign leaders in public spaces is against regulations. Many people believe that this could pose a threat to India’s sovereignty and social harmony especially when, in the backdrop of the Iran-Israel conflict, it is being perceived as political support. In Unnao, police removed the posters to maintain peace, which led to discontent among some Shia groups. Religious leaders like Maulana Yasoob Abbas condemned the action as an attack on religious sentiments, while the administration maintained that the move was necessary to prevent communal tension.
It is important to note that the activities carried out by some Shia Muslims in the name of religion could potentially impact India’s longstanding ties with Israel. Some interpret this as an ideological expression, reflecting the struggle against injustice, similar to Imam Hussain’s battle. Yet, in a multicultural country like India, such actions demand careful handling to preserve societal unity. The incident in Lucknow where large posters of Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei were displayed at places like Maulana Yasoob Abbas’s residence near Awadh Point, Shia Degree College, and Victoria Street, has sparked not only national but international political attention.
These incidents raise the question: is a foreign agenda taking root in India under the guise of religious devotion? Maulana Yasoob clarified that as in previous years, the posters were put up by the Haidari Task Force. According to Shia religious leaders, Khamenei is a spiritual guide for the Shia community, hence there is no political agenda behind this. But this year the issue became particularly sensitive because these posters emerged during a 12-day intense conflict between Iran and Israel. When the images of a leader who declares himself an enemy of Israel appear on Indian streets, controversy is inevitable.
Social media witnessed fierce reactions. Many questioned why, when India follows a neutral stance in global conflicts, is there a need to promote foreign leaders on Indian streets? Is this an expression of religious emotion, or an attempt to cultivate space for foreign political ideologies in India? The question becomes even more critical: is India’s religious freedom so expansive that it allows space for foreign political influences to embed themselves? Can any group, under the guise of religion, gather support for foreign leaders who have no connection with India?
Following the incident, intelligence agencies in Uttar Pradesh became vigilant. Surveillance was increased in areas with high Shia populations. While authorities did not publicly comment, behind the scenes, security concerns were taken very seriously. Previously, when Israel had attacked Iran, there had been protests led by Maulana Yasoob Abbas in Lucknow, during which posters of Israeli and American leaders were burned and calls were made for the Indian government to support Iran.
The matter escalated further when, during Muharram in Srinagar, flags of the terrorist group Hezbollah were seen being waved. This not only raised concerns in media but also alarmed administrative circles. It is not the first time that Shia Muslims in Srinagar have expressed such political sentiments, but this time it happened openly and in an organized manner. Posters of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Ayatollah Khamenei were carried in processions with slogans in their support.
Hezbollah is a Lebanese Shia terrorist organization, declared a terrorist group by the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and many Gulf countries. The organization is known for attacks such as the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing, the 1985 airline hijacking, and the 1994 bombing of a Jewish center in Argentina. Hezbollah is backed by Iran and seeks the destruction of Israel. It has no direct connection with India, yet some Shia groups in Srinagar view it as a representative of their cause.
Their support stems from religious beliefs. Shia Muslims believe that Imam Hussain fought against the tyrant Yazid during Muharram, and now Israel is being depicted as the modern-day Yazid. Hezbollah is being portrayed as a ‘Hussaini Army’ fighting against Israel. According to this ideology, leaders like Hassan Nasrallah are seen as contemporary Imams fighting against oppressive powers. This is why the support is not just religious, but political and ideological as well.
But the question arises can such sentiments become a threat to India’s national integrity? If religious events become platforms for global political struggles, it can seriously damage India’s syncretic Ganga-Jamuni culture. In the past too, slogans supporting Hamas and Palestine have been raised in Srinagar. In today’s environment, where Indian youth are increasingly influenced by global religious extremism on the internet, such processions can indirectly motivate radical behavior.
The government and intelligence agencies must now consider how to strike a balance between religious freedom and national interest. Monitoring religious events and processions is no longer just about preventing communal tension but is also essential for national security. If any religious group waves the flag of a foreign terrorist organization, it is not just an expression of religious emotion it is a direct threat to India’s sovereignty.
The government should issue clear guidelines banning the display of foreign leaders, organizations, or flags during religious events. Religious leaders must also take responsibility to ensure that such events do not become politically charged. The mixing of religion and politics is an explosive combination that can shake the very roots of society.
It is also crucial that voices from within the Muslim community rise against such activities. Most Indian Muslims are patriotic and have faith in the Indian Constitution. But when a few radical elements support foreign organizations under the cover of community, it tarnishes the image of the entire community. Media, social organizations, and academics must also step forward and initiate dialogue on how to keep religious events away from global political conflicts.
The incidents in Lucknow and Srinagar are not merely local episodes; they serve as a warning regarding India’s social fabric, religious freedom, and security policy. If attention is not paid now, this trend may grow stronger in the future. We must ensure that only the identity of Indian nationalism flies high on Indian soil not foreign flags.
