Why 100 Indians Travelled to Iran for Khamenei’s Funeral

Nearly 100 people from Alipura village in Karnataka’s Chikkaballapur district travelled to Iran to attend the funeral of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, drawing widespread attention to the village’s unique historical and religious connection with the country.

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According to reports, Khamenei’s funeral and burial are scheduled near the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad. While mourners from across the world have gathered in Iran, the presence of a large delegation from a small Indian village has sparked curiosity about the decades-old relationship between Alipura and Iran.

Why Does Alipura Have a Special Connection with Iran?

Alipura is a Shia Muslim-majority village, and its connection with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dates back to the early 1980s. During that period, Khamenei reportedly visited the village and inaugurated the Imam Khomeini Hospital, a healthcare facility established with Iranian support.

Residents say that visit created a lasting emotional and spiritual bond between the village and Iran’s religious leadership. Since then, many students from Alipura have pursued religious education, medicine, and professional careers in Iran.

According to Syed Hakim Raza, President of the Indo-Iran Chamber of Commerce and Industries, most of the 100 people who attended the funeral are already living in Iran as students, doctors, scholars, or professionals. The group reportedly travelled via Mumbai on a chartered flight to participate in the mourning ceremonies.

“He Was Like a Father to Us”

Speaking to Iranian media, Alipura resident Faizan Raza said that Khamenei was “more than a father” to many people in the village and attending his funeral was a moral and emotional responsibility.

Another resident, Shafiq Abidi, described Khamenei as the community’s spiritual guide, saying the hospital built with Iranian assistance remains a symbol of his affection for Alipura. He claimed almost every household in the village observed mourning following the leader’s death.

Khamenei’s Historical Links with India

Khamenei’s association with India extended beyond Karnataka. Historical accounts suggest he visited Srinagar in 1981, where he addressed gatherings and interacted with both Shia and Sunni communities during a period of sectarian tensions.

Some historians believe his visit contributed to improving relations between the two communities by encouraging dialogue and religious harmony.

Iran’s Leadership Also Has Indian Roots

Iran’s revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini also had ancestral links to India. Historical records indicate that his grandfather, Syed Ahmad Musavi Hindi, migrated from Barabanki in Uttar Pradesh to Iran during the 19th century while retaining the surname “Hindi” to preserve his Indian identity.

This historical connection remains one of the lesser-known links between India and Iran.

Funeral Witnesses Anti-US and Anti-Israel Slogans

Reports from the funeral procession stated that sections of the crowd raised slogans against the United States and Israel while carrying Iranian national flags, portraits of Khamenei, and red flags symbolising revenge. Analysts believe such developments could further intensify tensions in West Asia.

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