Student Basij attack on Tehran University students
Reports and videos published on social media indicate that the protest of Tehran University students against the "Hijab and Chastity" plan and their opposition to the mandatory hijab has turned violent following an attack by the student mobilization and security forces of Tehran University.
According to reports, the rally first began in front of the Faculty of Technology and the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Tehran, and then the conflict culminated inside the amphitheater of the Faculty of Fine Arts, and the faculty building was also damaged.
"Unemployment, forced labor, compulsory hijab for women," "Choice of clothing is our inalienable right," "Freedom of choice is our inalienable right," and "Students die, they will not accept humiliation," were among the slogans chanted by protesting students at the rally on Monday, May 13.
Protesters also held placards demanding the release of Marzieh Amiri, Atefeh Rangriz, and Neda Naji, three civil society activists who were arrested during International Labor Day rallies on May 1.
Majid Sarsangi, Vice President for Culture at the University of Tehran, in response to this gathering and the events that occurred at the Faculty of Fine Arts, said that no security forces or "guidance patrols" were or are present at the University of Tehran.
He said: "Unfortunately, some people, either ignorantly or intentionally, publish news that causes tension in the student atmosphere, and I explicitly state that if a student has been summoned to the university's disciplinary committee for wearing the hijab, they should report the matter."
Some student organizations had issued a call for this rally in recent days.
The call stated: "We are coming together to say that the implementation of the hijab and chastity plans is condemned."
Previously, a number of student activists had reported increased restrictions on the clothing of students, especially female students, at Tehran universities.
However, the vice president of cultural affairs at Tehran University said: "The students had no specific reason to protest in their rally today. Because there was no new event or decision at the university, and such behavior is not logical at all at the university. Rather, it is dangerous and calls into question the existence of the university. Because such behavior does not occur in Western countries, and people receive permission to hold a march and specify the reason for it."
Majid Sarsangi told ISNA: "The claim that a "guidance patrol" has entered Tehran University and is warning students is a completely unrealistic joke and nothing like this has happened. The only thing that exists is that every year on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan and with the aim of preserving the sanctity of this month, it is emphasized that manifestations of fasting should not be seen at the university level and that the dress code should not be such that the sanctity of Ramadan is ignored. In this regard, security forces were present on the campus of Tehran University to warn people who do not observe the sanctity of fasting."
The commander of the Islamic Republic's police force announced less than a month ago the start of moral and social security projects and the police's cooperation with the Basij to implement this plan.
Source: DW
