Iran’s Khamenei voices concerns for Indian Muslims amid outrage

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, expressed concerns regarding the treatment of Muslims in India, Myanmar, and Gaza, stating that Muslims should not ignore the suffering of their fellow believers. His comments, made via social media, were met with strong backlash from India, which labeled them as 'unacceptable' and 'misinformation.' The Indian foreign ministry urged countries to reflect on their own records before commenting on others' minority issues. Khamenei's remarks come amid ongoing discrimination faced by India's 200 million Muslims under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Rights groups have reported incidents of mob lynchings, economic boycotts, and sectarian violence against Muslims. A Human Rights Watch report highlighted that Modi made Islamophobic statements in numerous speeches during his election campaign. Despite maintaining strong bilateral relations with India, Khamenei has consistently criticized the Indian government's treatment of minorities, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir. He previously condemned the religious violence in New Delhi in 2020, which resulted in the deaths of many Muslims, and called for India to address the actions of extremist groups. The Iranian regime itself faces criticism for its human rights violations, including the treatment of women and minority communities. The U.S. State Department has reported arbitrary killings and a crackdown on protests, highlighting the complex nature of human rights issues in both countries. The situation underscores the delicate balance in Iran-India relations amid ongoing regional tensions.