Editorial: A theocrat’s sermons on democracy

Iran’s Supreme Leader has demonstrated a shocking naivety and a delusional mindset

By bracketing India along with Gaza and Myanmar while commenting on the purported “suffering” of Muslims, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has demonstrated a shocking naivety and a delusional mindset. It is a cruel irony that the head of a theocratic and ultra-orthodox nation should be pontificating on the status of minorities in a democratic country with a robust Constitution that guarantees equal rights to citizens of all faiths. Khamenei’s formulation that Muslims across the world constitute a single identity is a deeply problematic idea that has no basis in a modern and secular world. His comments are totally misinformed and unacceptable to India. He would be better advised to look inwards at the track record of his own country in the treatment of its minorities and women. The world recently witnessed Tehran’s brutal oppression of nationwide protests by women fighting for their fundamental rights. Ironically, Khamenei’s sermons on Indian Muslims came on the second death anniversary of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian woman, who died in police custody for “improper” clothing. Her death had sparked outrage in the country, with women leading anti-hijab protests. This is not the first time that Iran’s Supreme Leader has commented on the condition of Indian Muslims. He had voiced concern over the abrogation of Article 370, ending special status to Jammu & Kashmir in 2019. The following year, Khamenei urged Indian authorities to “confront extremist Hindus” and “stop the massacre of Muslims” against the backdrop of the New Delhi riots.

Earlier in 2017, in a speech on the occasion of Eid, he compared Kashmir to Bahrain and Yemen, asking the Muslim world to support people of these regions. These instances demonstrate a clear interference with India’s internal affairs. The latest comments came just before the first phase of the J&K elections — a region with a large Shia population. The timing raises questions about Iran’s intent to influence political sentiments in a region where it shares religious ties with the electorate. While these remarks may seem aligned with Iran’s broader geopolitical strategy, the underlying intent appears to be deeper. Iran often seeks to strengthen its position in the Muslim world, particularly among Shia communities, to counterbalance Sunni-dominated powers like Saudi Arabia. However, it is highly unlikely that Khamenei’s remarks will affect the larger India-Iran ties which have deepened over the years. As recently as in May, the two countries signed a long-term contract for the operation of the Shahid Beheshti Port terminal at Chabahar in Iran. This contract marks the first time India will take over the management of an overseas port. India and Iran have cultural relations dating back millennia. Both nations have shown pragmatism in maintaining relations even when diplomatic differences arise. Additionally, trade and connectivity define New Delhi’s ties with Tehran. In 2022-23, India’s bilateral trade with Iran reached $2.33 billion.

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