Opposition Leaders Slam Government Silence as Iran Conflict Escalates; Mufti Protests in Srinagar

Mufti has been vocal in her criticism of both the Government of India and the National Conference-led government in Jammu and Kashmir for their silence on what she described as “blatant aggression”.

By Rakesh Raman
New Delhi | March 4, 2026

SRINAGAR/NEW DELHI — In a day of significant political pushback, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti staged a protest in Srinagar on Wednesday, while Congress leader Sonia Gandhi issued a scathing critique of the Modi government’s response to the escalating conflict in West Asia and the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader.

Protests Erupt in Srinagar

Mehbooba Mufti led a demonstration in Srinagar where she and her supporters burned posters of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump. The protest was triggered by ongoing US-Israeli military actions against Iran and the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which occurred on February 28, 2026.

Supporters at the rally raised anti-US and anti-Israel slogans while carrying images of the late Supreme Leader. Mufti also set ablaze a poster of Jeffrey Epstein, citing his past associations with high-profile figures like Trump. Following the event, Mufti shared visuals of the burning posters on social media, expressing her solidarity with those “who stand in peace”.

Sonia Gandhi Condemns “Disturbing Silence”

Adding to the domestic pressure, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi published a strongly worded article on March 3, 2026, characterizing the Indian government’s refusal to condemn Khamenei’s assassination as an “abdication” of responsibility.

“I stand in peace with those who stand in peace with you, and in opposition to those who oppose you, until the Day of Judgment.” pic.twitter.com/NyDSuOWQVa

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) March 4, 2026

Gandhi argued that the government’s “disturbing silence” regarding the breakdown of international order undermines the credibility of India’s foreign policy. She further asserted that the targeted killing of a sitting head of state during negotiations constitutes a “grave rupture” in international relations and a violation of Article 2 (4) of the United Nations Charter.

Regional Tensions and Casualties

The political outcry comes as the conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel enters its fifth day. The situation has grown increasingly volatile:

• Casualties: The conflict has reportedly killed nearly 800 people in Iran and 11 in Israel, with over 50 dead in Lebanon following strikes in Baalbeck.
• Military Actions: The US and Israel claim to have hit nearly 2,000 targets in Iran, including nuclear facilities and missile launchers.
• Retaliatory Strikes: Retaliatory ballistic missiles were fired by Iran at Qatar, with one striking the Al-Udeid base, while explosions and air raid sirens have been reported in Jerusalem and Bahrain.

Mufti has been vocal in her criticism of both the Government of India and the National Conference-led government in Jammu and Kashmir for their silence on what she described as “blatant aggression”. She noted that the history of those who fought for justice versus those who “helped the oppressors” would eventually be judged.

Funeral rituals for Ayatollah Khamenei are scheduled to begin at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Musalla late Wednesday night.