Israel’s neutralization of Hezbollah Chief Hassan Nasrallah on 28 September 2024 in Lebanon has received widespread condemnation from the Islamist community across the world, India included. Kashmir saw massive protests as well, reminding the observer of the kind of crowds that gathered when the Indian Army neutralized the terrorist Burhan Wani.
Down south in Chennai, a banner paying tribute to Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the terrorist organization Hezbollah, has sparked widespread controversy after being displayed outside a mosque (on its gate) in the Mirshahipet locality of Chennai in Royapettah. Nasrallah, who had led Hezbollah since 1992, was killed in a recent missile strike by Israel while hiding in an apartment building in Beirut, Lebanon.
Israeli officials have hailed Nasrallah’s death as a significant blow to Hezbollah, a group that has long been attacking Israel from Lebanon. Israel claims that Nasrallah’s demise marks the end of Hezbollah’s 32-year reign of terror.
The banner in this Chennai mosque, however, praises Nasrallah, describing him as “the great hero of the world” and “a lion’s nightmare for Israel.” It also refers to his death as a “heroic” act, sparking outrage and raising concerns about local support for terrorist organizations. Some have interpreted the slogans on the banner as a challenge to police responsible for maintaining internal security.
The banner read, “It is better to die standing upright for the truth than to live your life kneeling down – Imam Ali“
Below the photo of Nasrallah, the words written read, “The greatest hero in the world was the leader Nasrallah, who was a lion’s nightmare for Israel.”
It also stated something that meant Nasrallah had died a martyr’s death.
லெபனான் ஹிஸ்புல்லா பயங்கரவாதி சாவுக்கு சென்னை திருவல்லிக்கேணி மசூதி வாசலில் வீர மரணம் என பேனரா? பயங்கரவாதத்திற்கு அப்பட்ட ஆதரவு. அமைதி மார்கத்தினரின் அடாவடி!@tnpoliceoffl@hindumunnani_tn @ManaliManoharHM @kannan_kanal pic.twitter.com/itxeO02ZWh
— A.T.Elangovan (@elangovan_HM) September 30, 2024
This incident comes in the wake of another recent controversy involving the Hizb-ut-Tahrir terrorist organization, which was found to be running a secret recruitment and training center in the Royapettah area of Chennai. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been probing these activities, and the emergence of public support for Hezbollah has intensified suspicions about the presence of additional sympathizers in the region.
Local authorities are now conducting a covert investigation to determine the extent of support for terrorist groups within Chennai, particularly in areas such as Royapettah.
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