Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei equates Kashmir with Yemen, Bahrain; calls for Islamic world to support protests

In a shocking statement from India's traditional ally, Iranian leader equated India's actions in its state Jammu and Kashmir to atrocities on people in Yemen and Bahrain. Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei called for 'clear stance' on Kashmir from the Muslim world. 

In his speech delivered on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, the supreme leader 'advised Muslim nations to take a clear stance on issues in the Muslim world, even if it causes dissatisfaction of arrogant individuals.'

Khamenei stressed that the 'Islamic Nations' especially Yemen and Bahrain were 'covered in wounds' and called upon the 'World of Islam' to express their disdain against the 'oppressors who've attacked the people in such horrible ways during the month of Ramadan'.

Equating Kashmir to the Yemen and Bahrain crises, the Iranian leader said,"The same is true for the people of Bahrain and Kashmir: Our people can back this great movement within the World of Islam. Just as we explicitly express our position against enemies and adversaries, the world of Islam--especially the elites in it--should follow this path and take a position towards seeking to please God, absolutely, even if it leads to dissatisfaction of the arrogant front." 

The supreme leader's speech was published on his official website Khamenei.ir on June 26 under the title 'Everyone should openly support people of Yemen, Bahrain and Kashmir: Ayatollah Khamenei'. 

Muslim world should openly support people of #Bahrain, #Kashmir, #Yemen, etc and repudiate oppressors& tyrants who attacked ppl in #Ramadan.

— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 26, 2017

This is the first time in seven years that the Iran has racked up the issue of Kashmir. The last time was in 2010 when not just the Iranian supreme leader, but also the country’s foreign ministry had raised questions about Kashmir.

In July and November of 2010, Khamenei raised the need for the Muslim community to support the'struggle' in Kashmir – and put it in the same category as Gaza and Afghanistan.

“Helping the Palestinian nation and the besieged people of Gaza, sympathy toward and cooperation with the people of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq and Kashmir, selfless efforts and resistance against the aggression of America and the Zionist regime, safeguarding the unity of Muslims, fighting evil hands and mercenary tongues that undermine this unity, and spreading awakening and sense of commitment and responsibility among Muslim youth in all Islamic lands – these are great responsibilities that currently lie on the shoulders of prominent figures of the Islamic Ummah,” said Khamenei in his Eid-ul-Zuha message of November 2010, The Wire reported.

After the last speech, India has summoned Iranian ambassador in New Delhi to lodge a formal protest. India subsequently abstained on a resolution on human rights violations in Iran at the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Indian govt is yet to react to the latest remarks.