An Indian-origin soldier serving in the United States Army has sparked debate online after posting a video questioning protests in India held in response to the death of Iran’s 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 handle @indianmominusarmy, posted the message on Instagram, addressing people in India who have taken to the streets following the recent US–Israeli strikes on Iran.
Her comments, delivered partly in Hindi, have circulated widely online and drawn 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 military at the age of 38 and has developed 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 serves as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) specialist and is also a mother of three.
In her video caption, Chaudhary said she wanted to address the situation carefully.
She urged viewers to think carefully before joining demonstrations over events taking place outside the country.
She added that people should prioritise safety and dialogue.
Questioning protests in India
In the video itself, Chaudhary addressed protests that have taken place in parts of India following the killing of Khamenei in US–Israeli strikes.
She said she did not feel like celebrating Holi this year because of the global situation.
At the same time, she questioned the practical purpose of demonstrations taking place in India over events occurring thousands of kilometres away.
She continued:
Chaudhary also questioned the character of the late Iranian leader, suggesting that reactions within Iran itself appeared different from the protests elsewhere.
she said.
In another part of the video she said that demonstrations in India could affect how the country is perceived internationally.
Addressing religion and extremism
Chaudhary also clarified that her comments were not directed against any particular religious group.
She said she has a Muslim best friend and spoke about celebrating Eid together and sharing traditional dishes such as sheer khurma.
Her criticism, she said, was directed at extremism or radicalism rather than any religion.
Khamenei’s death and regional escalation
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had led the Islamic Republic since 1989 following 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 have continued to carry out further strikes in Iran.
Israel later said its fighter jets had also destroyed an underground bunker used by Khamenei.
Mixed reactions online
Chaudhary’s remarks quickly circulated across social media, where they drew both support and criticism.
Some users said her message encouraged restraint and urged people to focus on local issues, while others argued that 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 strikes themselves, with some saying her comments overlooked civilian casualties, the destruction caused by the conflict and concerns raised about violations of international law.
