MHA warns states to monitor pro-Iran preachers; Owaisi criticises move.
MHA orders tighter security; Owaisi alleges bias
‘Monitor Radical Preachers’: MHA Issues Alert to States After Khamenei Killing, Owaisi Cries Foul
NEW DELHI, March 3, 2026 – The Union Home Ministry (MHA) has issued a nationwide advisory to all states and Union Territories, directing them to closely monitor pro-Iran radical preachers and inflammatory speeches in the wake of the US-Israel military strikes on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, officials familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.
In a letter circulated on February 28, just hours after the opening wave of “Operation Epic Fury,” the ministry directed states to maintain heightened vigilance to ensure that escalating global developments do not trigger domestic law-and-order issues. The advisory specifically instructs authorities to monitor the social media activity of extremists and handles linked to global terror groups that may attempt to exploit the situation.
incidents and maintain peace and tranquillity. The directive comes days after Iranian drones directly attacked US embassies in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, underscoring the real-world risks to diplomatic missions amid the widening conflict.
“We are seeing a volatile situation across the Middle East. It is imperative that states remain vigilant against any elements seeking to import that conflict into Indian streets,” a senior MHA official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The advisory gains significance in light of widespread protests that erupted across several parts of India on Sunday following confirmation of Khamenei’s death. Thousands of people, predominantly from the Shia Muslim community, took to the streets in cities including Hyderabad, Lucknow, Bengaluru, and Srinagar, chanting anti-Israel and anti-US slogans in rallies that stretched into the evening.
Authorities in several regions, particularly Jammu and Kashmir, increased local security arrangements during processions and gatherings, with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah urging demonstrators to remain calm.
Owaisi flags ‘selective’ approach
Responding to the advisory, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi criticized the Centre, alleging “double standards” in its handling of hate speech and inflammatory rhetoric.
He argued that the Home Ministry’s focus on pro-Iran elements contrasts sharply with its inaction against what he described as anti-Muslim hate speeches.
Owaisi further alleged that a conference calling for the overthrow of India’s Constitution had received government funding, yet no advisory was issued in that context. He did not specify which conference he was referring to but appeared to allude to recent political gatherings that have drawn controversy.
He also pointed to what he described as a rise in anti-Muslim hate speeches referencing Israel’s actions in Gaza since October 2023, arguing that the Centre has typically maintained that. When it comes to protecting US and Israeli interests, suddenly it’s a central concern,” Owaisi posted.
The Hyderabad MP’s remarks highlight the politically sensitive nature of the advisory, which comes amid already heightened communal tensions in parts of the country. Some opposition leaders have privately expressed concern that the monitoring of “pro-Iran radical preachers” could be applied too broadly, potentially targeting peaceful Shia mourners expressing religious grief.
The Home Ministry, however, has maintained that the advisory is purely preventive and applies to all extremist elements regardless of community. “The directive is clear: monitor those inciting violence or spreading inflammatory content linked to global terror groups. This is about national security, not targeting any specific community,” the MHA official said.
Meanwhile, the international situation remains fluid. US President Donald Trump has warned that the military campaign against Iran could extend longer than a month, and the State Department has ordered all American citizens to leave a sweeping list of Middle Eastern countries “immediately” following drone attacks on US embassies. Iranian state television has confirmed Khamenei’s death, reporting that his daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter were also killed in the strike.
As the conflict continues to reverberate globally, Indian authorities remain on high alert, balancing the need for security with the sensitivities of mourning communities. States have been directed to submit regular reports on the situation, with the MHA maintaining close coordination on any emerging threats.