New Delhi: A People’s Conference for Peace was held at the Speaker Hall, Constitution Club here Wednesday, to strongly condemn the assassination of Ayatullah Syed Ali Khamenei and to reflect on the wider implications of the incident for peace, justice, and global stability.
The conference was jointly organised by Indian Muslims for Civil Rights (IMCR) and Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR). It brought together diplomats, political leaders, academics, activists, lawyers, and public intellectuals who expressed deep concern over the assassination and called for a renewed commitment to peace and justice.
Participants at the conference argued that the increasing use of targeted assassinations and military aggression reflects a dangerous shift in global politics, where the norms of diplomacy and international accountability are steadily being replaced by unilateral violence and impunity.
The event was moderated by Nadeem Khan, who opened the session by emphasising the importance of collective voices from civil society in condemning acts of violence and advocating for global peace, stating, “This conference is a collective expression of conscience. When violence targets political and religious leadership, civil society must speak clearly for peace, justice, and accountability.”
Among the distinguished speakers present was Dr. Mohammed Fatahli, Ambassador of Islamic Republic of Iran to India. Dr. Fatahli thanked the people of India for their messages of solidarity during what he described as a difficult period for the Iranian nation.
He said the Iranian people were facing an unjust war imposed by the United States and Israel, which he described as a violation of international law and human principles. He also highlighted civilian casualties and the destruction of public infrastructure during the conflict.
The Ambassador noted that following the assassination of Ayatullah Khamenei, Iran had constitutionally selected Ayatullah Mustafa Khamenei as the new leader, emphasising that the Iranian people alone would decide their political future.
Salman Khurshid expressed condolences and reflected on the moral lessons of sacrifice and resistance. Drawing parallels with the legacy of Karbala, he said that sacrifice often speaks louder than war and conflict, and urged people to work toward a future where such tragedies are not repeated.
Manoj Jha criticised what he described as the silence of governments in the face of civilian deaths, particularly the killing of children during the conflict. He said that people must continue to speak out when governments choose silence.
Kunwar Danish said that while governments may have political compulsions, the people of India continue to stand with victims of injustice and oppression.
Mohammad Syed Sadatullah Husaini highlighted the deep emotional solidarity shown by people across India toward the Iranian people during their time of grief.
Monendra Jain recalled the Jain principle of non-violence and mourned the killing of a leader who sought to convey a message of peace to the world.
Goswami Sushil Ji Maharaj emphasised interfaith solidarity and warned that violence in the name of religion ultimately threatens all faith communities.
Mohd. Saleem Engineer, Vice President, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, condemned the attack on Iran as a grave threat not only to one nation but to global peace and stability.
Justice (Retd.) Iqbal Ahmad Ansari stressed the responsibility of civil society to uphold justice and condemn violence against humanity.
Senior advocate Prashant Bhushan described the war on Iran as “illegal, unjustified, and unprovoked,” accusing the United States and Israel of violating international law and targeting civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and public facilities. He also criticised the Indian government’s foreign policy stance in the conflict.
Human rights activist Dr. John Dayal warned that the concentration of immense power in the hands of irresponsible global leadership posed a grave danger to humanity.
Sardar Surjit Singh spoke about shared human suffering across communities and urged compassion, equality, and peace among all faiths.
Ashok Kumar warned that the assassination signals a dangerous phase in global politics where silence in the face of aggression enables further violence.
Father Sebastian called on people across the world to raise their voices collectively for peace, justice, and the right of every human being to live.
Prof. D. K. Tripathi described the conflict as an example of imperial aggression and praised the resilience of the Iranian people in resisting injustice.
Syeda Hameed described the moment as “a test of humanity’s conscience,” mourning the deaths of civilians, including women and children.
Former Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung criticised the global silence over civilian suffering in conflicts across the region, warning that the erosion of moral leadership in world politics was deeply troubling.
In his concluding remarks, Maktoob Hussain, General Secretary of IMCR, reflected on the legacy of Ayatullah Khamenei as a figure who symbolised resistance against oppression and domination. He emphasised that remembering his martyrdom should inspire people across the world to stand against injustice and defend the dignity of human life.
The conference highlighted the need for international solidarity against violence and stressed the role of democratic voices, civil society organisations, and intellectuals in safeguarding peace.
Speakers at the conference reiterated that violence and political assassinations threaten global peace and democratic values. They emphasised that the defence of peace cannot be left solely to governments and diplomatic institutions. Civil society, intellectuals, and democratic movements must continue to resist the growing acceptance of violence as a tool of political power.
The organisers reaffirmed their commitment to continue building platforms where voices across communities can come together to defend peace, justice, and the rule of law.
