A case of a student walking around naked in the capital of Iran, Tehran, has come to light. According to news agency AFP, the incident took place on Saturday at Tehran's Azad University of Science and Research. Here, a university student took off her clothes in protest against sexual harassment.
The Iranian police took the student into custody after walking around naked. He was also beaten while in custody.
The United Nations has expressed concern over the arrest of a girl for protesting the hijab at Iran's Azad University. UN Special Rapporteur Mao Sato shared a video of the incident on social media platform X and said he would be closely monitoring the matter.
Human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nargis Mohammadi, who is imprisoned in Iran for protesting for women's rights, issued a statement from prison saying that women are paying the price for their protests. He called for the release of the girl protesting by taking off her clothes as a symbol of rebellion, anger and protest.
Amnesty Iran has also demanded the immediate release of the student and urged the authorities to ensure her safety. “The girl should be protected from torture and ill-treatment and be allowed access to her family and a lawyer,” Amnesty said.
Celebrities and people in support of the girl After the video of this incident went viral on social media, the discussion against the strict laws imposed on women in Iran has gained momentum all over the world. In support of the girl, the hashtag 'Science and Research Girl' is also going viral. The hashtag has become a symbol of solidarity for women protesting against the hijab.
Famous celebrities of Iran have also come forward in support of this student. Actress Katayon Riahi wrote in the post that we will not leave you alone. Social activist Hussain Ronaghi, in support of the girl, said that “a girl's courage is the spark that burns the roots of oppression.”
Police said the girl is mentally ill According to media reports, the student's protest started after the morality police harassed her over the hijab policy. But the government says she was mentally ill.
Islamic Azad University PRO (Public Relations Officer) Amir Mahjub said in a statement that the girl has been sent to the police station due to 'severe mental stress'. Subsequently, government media outlets released a video, in which a man posing as her husband claimed that the woman was a mother of two and suffered from mental health issues.
Iranian human rights advocates say it has become a government pattern to label women protesters as mentally ill and send them to hospitals. Instead of taking responsibility, the government calls women crazy and incarcerates them in mental asylums. Last year, Iranian psychology associations also publicly criticized the government over the pattern.
Allegation- Students' hijabs and clothes were pulled Several media reports are also claiming that the student was mistreated by members of the Basij militia. Her hijab and clothes were pulled.
In fact, Iran has a strict dress code regarding women's clothing. According to this it is mandatory for women to wear hijab and loose clothing in public places. In such a situation, this step of the student is being seen as raising voice against the power of Iran.
Several media reports are also claiming that the student was mistreated by members of the Basij militia. (File Photo)
On the other hand, Iran's state media Fars News Agency claimed that the student was not dressed appropriately. After this, when the security guard warned him, he took off his clothes. According to state media, the guard spoke peacefully.
The requirement to wear the hijab came into force after the 1979 Islamic Revolution Although the hijab was made mandatory in Iran in 1979, on August 15 President Ibrahim Raisi signed a decree calling for it to be strictly enforced as a dress code.
Before 1979, under Shah Pahlavi, Iran was quite liberal when it came to women's clothing.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
