Claim
The Indian government has decided to send a two-member delegation: Syed Ata Hasnain, a retired Lieutenant General and current Governor of Bihar from a Shia family of Uttar Pradesh, and Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita.
“भारत सरकार ने तय किया है कि वह अपने दो सदस्य प्रतिनिधि मंडल को इस अंतिम विदाई कार्यक्रम में शामिल होने के लिए भेजेंगे। इनमें पहले हैं सैयद अता हसनैन... और दूसरे हैं केंद्रीय विदेश राज्य मंत्री पवित्र मागरी”▶ Watch source segment
Rationale
Multiple reputable outlets and a wire agency confirm the Indian government sent a two-member delegation to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's funeral in Iran (early July 2026), comprising Bihar Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain and Union MoS for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita. Hasnain is indeed a retired Lieutenant General, the current Governor of Bihar, and hails from a Shia Muslim family of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Every specific element of the anchor's statement matches the documented facts, so the 'final farewell/funeral' delegation claim is accurate.
Evidence
- https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ayatollah-khamenei/mos-pabitra-margherita-bihar-governor-represent-india-at-funeral-ceremony-of-ayatollah-ali-khamenei The Tribune confirms India's two-member delegation of MoS External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and Bihar Governor Syed Ata Hasnain represented India at Ayatollah Khamenei's funeral ceremony. ✓ reachable · archived
- https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/mos-pabitra-margherita-bihar-governor-represent-india-at-funeral-ceremony-of-ayatollah-ali-khamenei20260703215258/ Wire agency ANI reports the same two-member delegation attending the funeral, matching the anchor's claim of a government-decided delegation. ✓ reachable · archived
- https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bihar-governor-lt-gen-syed-ata-hasnain-and-mos-pabitra-margherita-to-represent-india-at-khamenei-funeral-1782721330560 WION identifies Syed Ata Hasnain as retired Lieutenant General and Bihar Governor, and Pabitra Margherita as MoS, both chosen to represent India. ✗ unreachable · HTTP 403
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syed_Ata_Hasnain Confirms Hasnain is a retired Lieutenant General serving as 43rd Governor of Bihar (2026), from a Shia Muslim family of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. ✓ reachable · archived