Shilpa Chaudhry asked why Indians are protesting in support of the Iranian leader and what they hope to achieve./ Image: Instagram
An Indian-origin soldier serving in the US Army has sparked controversy online after posting a video questioning the protests held in India in response to the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Shilpa Chaudhary, an Indian-born US Army specialist who shares updates about her military life on social media under the name @indianmominusarmy, posted the message on Instagram, addressing people in India who have taken to the streets in the wake of the recent US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Her comments, partly delivered in Hindi, went viral online and sparked mixed reactions across social media platforms.
Who is Shilpa Chaudhary?
Chaudhary is an Indian-born soldier serving in the United States Army and holds a US green card. She joined the Army at the age of 38 and has gained a growing following on platforms including YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, where she regularly posts about her training, duties and experiences. According to her public profile, she works as a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) specialist and is also a mother of three children.
Shilpa Chaudhary/Image: via Instagram
In her video comment, Chaudhry said she wanted to handle the situation carefully. “As an Indian citizen serving in the US military, I want to speak from a place of care and concern, not from a place of controversy. I understand that many people have strong feelings about what is happening in the world right now, especially the recent events related to the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader and the reactions it has provoked.” She urged viewers to think carefully before joining demonstrations regarding events taking place outside the country. “However, I want to encourage everyone to think carefully before joining protests or demonstrations about events happening in another country. The facts are complex, and emotions can run high. We don’t want anyone to get hurt, get into legal trouble, or be in danger because of situations with so much uncertainty.” She added that people should prioritize safety and dialogue. “Your safety is important, and peaceful dialogue, staying informed from trusted sources, and engaging in respectful conversations are better ways to make your voice heard without putting yourself or others at risk.”
Questioning the protests in India
In the same video, Chaudhry addressed the protests that erupted in parts of India after Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli raids. She said she did not feel like celebrating Holi this year due to the global situation. At the same time, she questioned the practical purpose of the demonstrations taking place in India due to events taking place thousands of kilometers away. “What I want to make sure of is that I don’t want the people of India to become the butt of ridicule, which is happening all over the world. You may not realize it while you’re sitting there (in India), but I can see a lot from where I am now.” She continued: “Protests are taking place in India in different places. I understand that you are very religiously affected right now. I will not comment on that. But I have a question for you: I just want to know how will the protests that you are organizing where you live, that are disturbing things in your area, benefit you? What are you asking from your state government? What will they do? How did they participate in it?”Chaudhry also questioned the character of the late Iranian leader, noting that reactions inside Iran itself appear different from protests elsewhere.“People in Iran themselves are celebrating Khamenei’s death. If he had been a really good person, would people in his country have celebrated his death?” She said. In another part of the video, she said that the demonstrations in India could affect the world’s view of the country. “I don’t want the people of India to become a laughing stock all over the world.” “So please, open your eyes a little. Think a little bigger. India is looked upon with great respect all over the world; please don’t tear that respect to shreds. Please, think big, be safe, and love the country you live in. Don’t force people to say that if you love another country so much, you should go and live there.”
Confronting religion and extremism
Chaudhry also clarified that her comments were not directed against any particular religious group. “I am not anti-Muslim” She said she has a Muslim best friend and talked about celebrating Eid together and sharing traditional dishes like khurma mutlaq. She said that her criticism was directed at extremism and not at any religion.
Khamenei’s death and regional escalation
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has led the Islamic Republic since 1989 after the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, was killed during the first wave of US-Israeli air strikes on Iran last week. The strikes targeted Iran’s missile and nuclear infrastructure and also killed several senior Iranian officials. Iran has since launched retaliatory attacks against Israel and US assets in the Middle East, including sites in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain. Israel and the United States continued to carry out more strikes in Iran. Israel later said its fighter jets also destroyed an underground bunker used by Khamenei.
Mixed reactions online
Chaudhry’s statements quickly spread across social media, where they received both support and criticism.Some users said her message encouraged restraint and urged people to focus on domestic issues, while others said citizens have the right to protest international events they feel strongly about.Others questioned why she was addressing protesters in India while serving in the US military involved in the same strikes, with some saying her comments ignored civilian casualties, devastation caused by the conflict and concerns raised about violations of international law.
