A woman strips down to her underwear at an Iranian university, allegedly to protest the mandatory hijab.

In an extraordinary act that has captured the world’s attention, a young woman at an Iranian university stripped down to her underwear in what many believe was a protest against Iran’s strict Islamic dress code. The incident, which took place at the Islamic Azad University on Saturday, was captured on video and widely circulated on social media. The footage shows security guards detaining a woman, whose identity has not been disclosed.

Following the incident, Amir Mahjob, a university spokesman, commented on Platform X (formerly Twitter), saying that the woman appeared to be “under severe mental pressure” and stated that she had a “mental disorder.” However, not everyone is convinced by the official explanation. Many social media users speculated that her actions were deliberate and represented a quiet but powerful form of protest against the compulsory hijab rules that have become a lightning rod in Iran.

“For most women, appearing in public in underwear is one of their worst nightmares,” wrote Lei La, user X. “This is a reaction to the authorities’ insistence on compulsory wearing of the hijab.” The act of stripping resonated with Iranians and international observers alike, symbolizing deep-seated frustration with what some see as oppressive, state-imposed modesty laws.

The woman’s current situation remains unclear. According to the major Iranian newspaper Hamshahri, an “informed source” suggested that after an investigation, she would likely be transferred to a psychiatric hospital.

The incident is the latest in a series of public acts of defiance by Iranian women. Following the death of Mahsa Amini, a young Kurdish woman detained by Iran’s morality police in September 2022 on charges of violating hijab rules, there has been a noticeable shift. Following Amini’s death, nationwide protests erupted, becoming one of the most significant social movements of dissent in Iran in recent years. Although authorities eventually crushed the protests, they sparked a growing wave of resistance, especially among women, who shed their veils in open defiance of the rules.

Despite the risks, women across Iran continue to defy dress codes. For many, he became a symbol of the struggle for personal and political freedoms. This latest act at the Islamic Azad University, whether considered a mental health issue or a targeted statement, highlights the broader tensions taking place. As the Iranian government grapples with how to deal with this wave of resistance, the world is watching closely, knowing that for many Iranian women, this is about more than just the hijab—it’s a battle for autonomy, dignity and rights that have long been denied.

Melissa Enoch

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