Global South Bureau
New Delhi, March 3: Protests against the United States–Israel military action on Iran intensified in the national capital, with Shia community groups and Left parties holding separate demonstrations over the past few days.
Earlier, members of the Shia community staged protests at multiple locations in Delhi, including Jantar Mantar, Okhla and Jor Bagh. Demonstrators expressed solidarity with Iran and condemned the military strikes, calling them an attack on regional sovereignty and stability. Religious leaders and community representatives addressed gatherings, urging restraint in West Asia while sharply criticising the role of the US and Israel in the escalation.
On March 3, Left parties led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) New Democracy organised a joint protest at Jantar Mantar along with the Communist Party of India, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation and other organisations.
The protest also saw participation from Communist Ghadar Party, SUCI, CPI (ML) New Democracy, CPI (ML) Mass Line, CPI (ML), Inquilabi Mazdoor Kendra, Lokpaksh, and several other organisations.
Slogans condemning “American imperialism” and “Zionism” echoed at the protest site, with demonstrators demanding that the Modi government oppose what they described as an imperialist attack on Iran. Protesters carried placards reading “Stop US-Israel Attacks on Iran” and “Respect Sovereignty.”
Protests Beyond Delhi
Outside Delhi, protests were reported in Srinagar, where demonstrators gathered in parts of the city to voice opposition to the escalation in Iran. Police imposed restrictions in sensitive areas to prevent unrest.
Similar demonstrations were held in Bhopal and other cities, where Left groups submitted memorandums to district authorities urging the Centre to take a firm diplomatic position against the strikes.
Security was tightened around key diplomatic establishments, including the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, as a precautionary measure.
The protests reflect growing domestic reactions to the unfolding crisis in West Asia, with political and community groups warning that such one sided attacks amidst talks are not a good precedence in international affairs.
