Iran: Indian Embassy Plans 150th Gandhi Jayanti Celebrations At Cremation Ground, Cancels Following Protests

The Indian embassy in Teheran has cancelled its plans to hold a high profile event to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary, following a protest from the Indian community there. The embassy had planned to hold the event on 4 October but the Indian community objected to it as the venue was its cremation ground.

The Hindu reported that the community protested immediately after the embassy sent out email invitations on 19 September to a few Teheran residents of Indian origin. The cremation ground known as “shamshan bhumi’ is being maintained by the local Gurudwara committee there.

The embassy had told the invitees that the programme would be followed by light refreshments to which the community protested saying providing snacks and tea at the ground tantamounts to “insensitivity”.

The daily said the embassy had invited Iranian media and a local deputy mayor. Inviting the media would have attracted attention to the cremation ground that was allocated during the Shah of Iran era. India was allowed to continue enjoying the privilege in view of the excellent relations with Iran.

The event was called off on 27 September through an email.